Balasore: Police have arrested three persons in connection with the brutal mob attack that led to the death of a 35-year-old man suspected of cattle smuggling.
The incident occurred early on Wednesday near Sahada village under Sadar police limits.
Balasore Sadar SDPO Subhranshu Sekhar Nayak confirmed that three suspects have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody. Intensive manhunt is underway to apprehend the others involved in the incident, he told PTI, adding that the accused face charges under Section 103(2) (murder committed by a mob) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The victim, identified as Sk Makandar Mahammad of Astia village, worked as a helper of the van, which was chased by a group of men suspecting illegal cattle transportation. The assault took place at 5 am. Both the driver and helper were seriously injured in the attack. A widely circulated video purportedly showed the mob assaulting Mahammad with plastic pipes and forcing him to chant “Jai Shri Ram”, despite his pleas for mercy. The authenticity of the video has not been officially confirmed.
Mahammad was rushed to the district headquarters hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries around 2.40 pm while undergoing treatment. He is survived by his wife and three children.
Police initially registered a first FIR, under laws including the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Orissa Cow Slaughter Act, based on a complaint related to the pickup van accident. The driver had already been shifted to a hospital and a cow was found at the site when they reached the spot, according to the FIR.
However, following a written complaint from the victim’s brother, Sk Jitendar Mahammad, a second FIR was registered at Balasore Sadar police station later in the evening. This complaint accused the group of a deliberate mob attack.
Meanwhile, the Balasore district administration provided Rs 20,000 in financial assistance to the deceased’s family from the Red Cross Fund and assured that all perpetrators will be brought to justice.
