In yet another shocking incident, a Muslim man was assaulted for allegedly selling beef in Biswanath in Assam. The incident came to light after a video where mobs were seen beating the man in the broad day light went viral on social media on Monday.
Shaukat Ali, 68, was and beaten up with the mob questioning his citizenship and accusing him of selling beef, as seen on the video.
“Are you from Bangladesh? Do you have the license to sell beef,” asked some of the men.
The mob also asked if Ali’s name featured in the list of National Register of Citizens (NRC). The NRC is being updated in Assam to identify illegal foreigners.
Later, the mob forced Ali to eat pork while they continued to shoot the video.
The mob also man-handled Kamal Thapa, the manager of the market who tried to resist the mob. The police, however, claimed that this was not communal violence.
Police have detained some individuals for questioning following the incident.
“An FIR has been registered vide Case no. 80/ 2019 u/s 143/ 341/ 325/ 294(a)/ 295-A/ 153- A(b)/ 384 IPC. Investigators are on the job to apprehend the culprits,” the Biswanath police said.
Cow slaughter is not banned in Assam but permission is required from a veterinary officer as only cows aged over 14 years are allowed to be slaughtered.
Some locals said that the issue started when some persons went to get ‘donations’ from the traders in the market.
“When Ali denied to donate money, they started to beat him,” a local said on condition of anonymity.
The district administration and police have also called for a meeting with the local communities.
