Compensation for lynching victim family after Meo community protest

Sumedha Sharma

Tribune News Service

Gurugram, July 22

Outraged over the killing of Akbar Khan, 28, allegedly by Alwar’s cow vigilantes, hundreds of members of the Meo community blocked the Delhi-Alwar highway for four hours late Saturday night, placing the victim’s body  on the road. They were led by ex-minister Aftab Ahmed.

“The state government did not even express grief.  It was only after our protest that it announced compensation,” said an agitated Ahmed. Sources said as the family was preparing to bury Akbar, Ahmed and other Congress leaders arrived there.  They spoke with the victim’s father after which a protest was held. As tempers rose, the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) rushed to the protest site and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh. Thereafter, the Rajasthan Government too announced relief. 

“Nothing can compensate for my son’s life. But the money will ensure meals for a couple of months,” said Suleiman Khan.

Senior Congress leader Capt Ajay Singh Yadav accused the Haryana CM of indifference, pointing out that he had not expressed sorrow over Mewat dairy farmer Pehlu Khan’s death in April last year. “Nor had be visited the grieving family.”