Dadri lynching case: Bisahada villagers banned from holding 'mahapanchayat'; Section 144 imposed

Lucknow: The state administration and UP Police have sounded a high alert in Greater Noida in view of a 'panchayat' called on Monday afternoon in Bisahada village, nearly nine months after  a Muslim named Mohammad Akhlaq was lynched on the charge that he and his family consumed cow's meat.

To dissuade people from attending the 'mahapanchayat', the police has imposed Section 144 in Dadri, which prevents large groups from gathering as a precaution against violence.

The development comes a week after a government forensic lab in Mathura said in its report that the meat in question was of "cow or its progeny".

The report has revived the controversy over the legal and moral issues surrounding the lynching. People in Bisahada village have demanded that a case of cow slaughter be registered against Akhlaq's family.

Some villagers and Hindu organisations are also demanding that the 17 accused in the killing of Akhlaq be now released.

An official, however, informed that the accused would be produced before a fast-track court on Monday where charges would be fixed on them. A juvenile has already been granted bail by the high court.

The jawans of the Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary have been patrolling the village since Sunday evening.

Security has been increased following announcement by some Hindu frontal organisations -- Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Rashtrawadi Pratap Sena, Goraksha Dal and Hindu Yuva Vahini -- that they will participate in the panchayat, said officials.