CPI-M condemns Alwar lynching, wants action against cow vigilantes

New Delhi, Nov 13 (IANS) The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Monday condemned the lynching of a farmer, Umar Khan, by cow vigilantes in Alwar district of Rajasthan and demanded strict action against the culprits.

"The CPI-M condemns the gruesome killing of Umar Khan, who was attacked along with his two companions with whom he had purchased cows in Alwar," the party said in a statement.

"All three of them were beaten and also shot at by the so-called gau rakshaks. It is more shocking that the Rajasthan Police registered a case against the victims and has allowed the vigilantes to go scot-free," it added.

The CPI-M underlined that such incidents were happening despite the Supreme Court's instructions to the central and state governments to prevent such attacks and take strict action in incidents of vigilantism.

The Supreme Court had said that in every district a senior police officer should be designated to look into such cases and that proper compensation should be paid to the victims.

"The CPI-M demands that the Centre and the Rajasthan government abide by the directions of the Supreme Court and ensure that the culprits are brought to book and that the families of the victims are compensated adequately and assured of justice," it said.

According to police, a body was found near railway tracks in Govindgarh in Alwar on November 10. The deceased was identified as Umar Khan, 35, by his relatives on Sunday.

Although police remained tight-lipped about the incident, sources close to the deceased's family told IANS that the incident occurred most likely on November 10 morning when the three persons were transporting some cows from Alwar to a village in Bharatpur.

As they reached near Govindgarh, they were stopped by some "gau rakshaks" (cow vigilantes) and attacked with firearms, they said.

While Umar reportedly died in the firing, another person sustained bullet injuries. He has been admitted to a Haryana hospital.

Alwar Superintendent of Police Rahul Prakash said a case of cow smuggling had been filed. "We have also detained one person on charges of murder. Investigations are on," he added.

In April, a Pehlu Khan was allegedly beaten to death on suspicion of cow smuggling by cow vigilantes in Alwar district.