Dadri: A 50-year-old man was beaten to death by a mob near Delhi on Monday night, allegedly over rumours that his family had stored and eaten beef.
Mohammad Akhlaq and his son, 22, were dragged out by villagers in Dadri in Uttar Pradesh, around 45 km from the capital, and beaten with bricks. Akhlaq died and his son is critical in hospital.
When the police arrived, the mob was still assaulting the men.
Six men were arrested last night. Akhlaq’s family says they only had mutton in their fridge. The police have taken the meat sent it for forensic testing.
The police said the family had stayed at the village for around 35 years. They are investigating who spread the rumour.
“We found out that the people beat them because they consumed cow meat. More people will be arrested,” said S Kiran, a senior police officer.
Sajida, daughter of Akhlaq mentioned that it was mutton which was kept in refrigerator and not beef. She revealed that a mob consisting of 100 people attacked her house on Monday night.
They broke the doors of the house and alleged that cow meat was kept in the house. They dragged her father outside the house and beat him with bricks, she said.
Mr. N.P. Singh, District Magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar told that police have been deployed in the area and the situation has been brought under control.
News of the arrests led to tension in the area as villagers clashed with the police, forcing them to fire in the air.
(Agencies)
