One dead in communal violence in Greater Noida village

A communally sensitive village in Greater Noida is under heavy police security after a 50-year-old man was beaten to death by a mob which suspected that he had slaughtered a cow.

Ikhlaq died and his son was injured after being attacked in their home in Jarcha village of Greater Noida on Monday night. Police sent reinforcements to the village after groups pelted stones at each other.

“All senior police officials are camping in Jarcha since late Monday night. Heavy police force has been deployed and the situation is under control. Help was sought from the bordering police stations and a number of riot control personnel were deployed,” said NP Singh, district magistrate, Gautam Budh Nagar.

Some police officials, including deputy superintendent of police Anurag Singh, received minor injuries in the stone pelting incident. “The stone pelting lasted for 15 minutes. Force was sent to the spot immediately and situation was brought under control. Some policemen received minor injuries,” said Anurag Singh.

Deputy Inspector General (Meerut Range) Ashutosh Kumar and senior superintendent of police Gautam Budh Nagar, Kiran Sivakumar rushed to the village following the information of communal tension.

Ikhlaq’s family members have recognised their attackers. “A case has been lodged against 10 persons following a complaint by the deceased’s daughter at Jarcha police station. Six of them were arrested and a manhunt has been launched to arrest the absconding culprits,” said Subodh Kumar Singh, in-charge, Jarcha police station.

“Post-mortem of the body was conducted and it was handed over to the family members. Prima facie, it seems the victim died of internal injuries. The reason of death will be confirmed through the report,” Singh added.