By Waquar Hasan
NEW DELHI – A 35-year-old Muslim man, Nasim, was brutally attacked by a mob with links to Hindutva groups after they intercepted his pick-up van, which was transporting buffalo meat, in Nainital district, Uttarakhand, on Thursday.The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and sparked outrage across social media.
Several videos of the assault, the vandalization of the van, and the mob’s confrontation with the police have surfaced online. In one video, Nasim is seen being savagely beaten by a group of individuals while his body is covered in blood, and his clothes are torn. During the assault, Nasim can be heard stating that they had obtained permission from the local police to transport the meat. Despite this clarification, the mob continues to beat him. In another disturbing moment, a child is seen approaching with a large stone, seemingly looking for an opportunity to strike the victim.
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The second video captures the mob attacking the van with bricks and rods, with one individual in the background mentioning that the vehicle had come from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, to Nainital’s Ramnagar area.
A third video shows the police trying to reason with the mob at the local police station. A police officer is heard saying that the meat in the van is not cow meat. He warns the mob not to take the law into their own hands. However, as tensions rise, the mob begins chanting slogans, calling for violence. The police officer assures them that the matter will be thoroughly investigated and that strict action would be taken if any negligence is found.
The victim’s family spoke to local media, expressing their shock and pain over the brutal assault. They claimed that those responsible for the attack are being treated with respect at the police station. “We want nothing but justice. The ones who have assaulted him should be arrested immediately. Madan Joshi has disturbed the peace, and he must be brought here,” said the victim’s wife.
The family members have demanded the arrest of Hindutva leader Madan Joshi, who they believe incited the mob. They presented documents and slips to prove that the meat was not from a cow and that all necessary permissions were obtained from the authorities.
“They beat him so brutally that even an animal would not be treated that way. What if he had died? They should have handed him over to the police instead of assaulting him like that,” a relative of the victim said, visibly shaken.
The victim’s family is also demanding an FIR be registered against those responsible, and they are calling for swift action to ensure justice.
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This story was originally published in thehindustangazette.com. Read the full story here.