Day after Muslim vendor burnt self, cops yet to arrest accused

Gurdeep Singh Mann

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 13

A day after a Muslim vendor set himself afire due to the alleged misbehavior and use of casteist remarks by gaushala workers, the police are yet to arrest the accused.

A case of abetment to suicide was registered against Monu, a worker of Bal Gopal Gaushala, at Canal Colony Police Station yesterday. He was booked after the victim, Eid Mohammad (43), accused him and others of passing “insulting, offensive and derogatory” remarks on his community and family.

Family members of the victim today alleged that the police were shielding the accused. Eid Mohammad is undergoing treatment at the DMC Hospital, Ludhiana, and his condition is stated to be critical.

In his statement before magistrate, Eid Mohammad has accused the gaushala authorities, including Monu, of using casteist remarks which forced him to take the extreme step.

Rajeshwar Sidhu, SSP, said, “As there is also a magisterial probe going on in this case, we are yet to arrest the accused though we have questioned him and heard his side of story as well.”

Muslim welfare body holds protest

Members of Baba Haji Rattan Muslim Welfare Committee, too, protested the police “inaction”.

After blocking roads and raising slogans for over an hour, the committee submitted a memorandum to Bathinda SSP Rajeshwar Singh Sidhu. The chairperson of the committee, Nagina Begum, said a copy of the memorandum had also been dispatched to the office of Prime Minister, Chief Minister, Shahi Imam, Jama Masjid, Delhi, and Imam, Malerkotla.

Eid Mohammad was shifted from Bathinda Civil Hospital to Faridkot Medical College yesterday from where he was further referred to the DMC, Ludhiana, today.

“We demand compensation for the poor family, a high-level probe into the incident and stringent action against the accused,” Nagina said.