KOLKATA: Self-styled “cow protection” groups emerged in India leading to riots for the purposes of protecting cattle from slaughter and the targets of violence have often been Muslims.
On Thursday three Muslim men were beaten to death by mob on suspicion of stealing a cow in West Bengal’s North Dinajpur district.
According to the villagers seven cow smugglers entered their village on Thursday night, and managed to lift two cows in a matador van. When they were trying to steal a bovine from another house, one of the villagers saw them, raising the alarm immediately.
When police reached the spot the three men were lying in a pool of blood. Police took them to the nearest hospital where they were declared brought dead.
“The locals chased them and thrashed them until they died. Their bodies have been sent for autopsy. An impartial inquiry has been ordered into the incident,” said an official.
The three men identified as Sameeruddin Haque (32), Naseerul Haque,(30) and Nasir Haque, (33).
Nasirul Haque’s mother Mumtaj Biwi lodged a complaint at Chopra police station on Friday. SP Amit Kumar Bharat Rathod said. “We have initiated a case. Today we arrested three people in the case. Action will be taken against anyone who took law in their hands. Past credentials show that all the three victims were indulged in cattle theft. The investigation is being carried out. We are conducting raids.”