No mention of 'beef' in Uttar Pradesh govt's report on Dadri lynching

The Uttar Pradesh government has submitted a report to the Centre on the lynching of a Muslim man in Dadri, but made no mention of "beef consumption or cow slaughter" rumours having triggered the killing of Mohammad Iqlakh.

The report sent to the home ministry said Iqlakh and his son Danish were attacked by some unidentified people over unconfirmed allegations of having consumed "pratibandhit pashu ka maans" (meat of an animal banned from slaughter).

The report incorporated a factual account of the incident as recorded in the first information report registered by the local police in Dadri in Gautam Budh Nagar district, a home ministry official said. The state government's report made no mention of the circumstances that may have provoked mob to lynch Iqlakh.

On the action taken following the incident, the report said some suspects have been picked up following preliminary investigation. Without going into details of the possible motive behind the killing, the report said further probe is on.

The report came after the home ministry in an October 1 communication had asked the state government to provide details of the incident and subsequent action taken by the authorities. The home ministry had also sent a reminder on Monday following which the Uttar Pradesh government submitted its report late at night.

Concerned over communal incidents in Dadri and other places, the Centre had asked all states to take strictest action against those who attempt to weaken the secular fabric by exploiting religious emotions.

In a statement, the home ministry had said it was concerned over various incidents with communal overtones across the country including the recent "unfortunate" incident at Dadri in Uttar Pradesh where one person was lynched over rumours of eating beef.

Image: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav meets family members of Mohammad Akhlaq in Lucknow. Photograph: PTI