Ranchi: ST panel notice to DGP, Gumla SP over mob lynching case

RANCHI: The National Commission for Scheduled Tribe ( NCST ) has issued a notice to state DGP D K Pandey and Gumla SPAnjani Kumar Jha asking them to furnish a detailed report on the action taken in the April 10 mob-lynching of four tribals in Gumla. The commission’s letter, dated May 2, reached the complainant, Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha (JJM), an umbrella organization of civil rights group on Tuesday.

On 10 April, Prakash Lakda was killed and three others sustained severe injuries when they were attacked by villagers on the suspicion of cow slaughter.

In the letter, NCST said the commission will probe the incident and it needed details of investigations carried out by the state police. “In case the reply is not received within the stipulated time, the commission may exercise the power of civil court conferred upon it by the Constitution and issue summons for the appearance in person or by a representative before the commission,” the notice reads.

Confirming that he has received the notice, Jha said a report is being prepared to reply to the commission’s notice. “Action has already been taken in the matter and two separate FIRs were lodged — one against the four tribals and a few unnamed persons under the Jharkhand Bovine Animal Prohibition of Slaughter Act and another against the villagers identified in the lynching ,” he said.

JJM had visited Dumri block in Gumla district where the lynching took place.

JJM convener Siraj said police have failed in their duty to protect the victims and prosecute the culprits. “A very objectionable FIR has been lodged against the victims even though they did nothing more than carve a dead ox with the permission of its owner. Also, the communal undertone in the incident cannot be ignored as the mob was chanting Hindutva slogans while thrashing the victims,” he said.