In Madhya Pradesh’s Seoni district, two tribal men were beaten to death on suspicion of cow slaughter. The police said that another man was left injured by the attackers, which numbered some 20.
The police informed that the group of 20 men went to the home of the tribals and accused them of killing a cow. Then the two men were allegedly beaten up by them. The two men died while they were being taken to hospital.
Demanding action against the accused, Congress MLA Arjun Singh Kakodia sat in protest on Jabalpur-Nagpur Highway. The Seoni police chief and other officials have visited the home of the tribals.
20 people have been charged, six of them with murder, the police said.
Additional Superintendent of Police SK Maravi said: “Two tribal men have died. It was alleged a group of 15-20 people went to the victims’ house, accused them of killing a cow and assaulted them. The two men died while being taken to hospital and another had minor injuries.”
“A case of murder has been registered…police teams are searching for the accused. Some of the accused are named (in the complaint) and others are unidentified. We have taken two-three suspects into custody. Some 12 kg of meat has been found in the victims’ house,” ASP Maravi said.
The mob brutally thrashed the two tribals, Sampat Batti and Dhansa, with sticks and when he went there, he too was beaten up, the complainant Brajesh Batti, who was injured in the attack, said.
The opposition Congress party has demanded a high-level inquiry and swift action.
Madhya Pradesh Congress leader and former Chief Minister Kamal Nath reacted to the incident and said: “I demand from the government that strict action be taken against the culprits by announcing a high-level inquiry into this incident. All possible help should be given to the families of the victims and arrangements for treatment of the injured man at government expense.”
Some locals have claimed that the Bajrang Dal was linked to the incident, Kamal Nath added.
The National Crime Records Bureau data showed Madhya Pradesh had the highest number of crimes against tribals, Kamal Nath said.
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