Dadri lynching case: Despite prohibitory orders, panchayat held in Bishada village; FIR against Akhlaq's family demanded

Dadri: Despite prohibitory orders being clamped in Dadri's Bishada, the villagers on Monday held a panchayat to discuss the case of Mohammad Akhlaq.

As per reports, a group of BJP and Shiv Sena politicians led a panchayat demanding action against the family of Akhlaq and also issued threats.

They held the meeting at the same temple where a priest had used the loudspeaker to alert the village about 'beef' at Akhlaq's house.

BJP's Sanjay Rana, whose son Vishal, has been arrested for Akhlaq's murder, was quoted by NDTV as saying, "We give them 20 days. If there is no action, even I can't guarantee that I can control this public anger."

"People have been yelling that there has been cow slaughtering so something should also be done in this regard," he was further quoted as saying but added that "there is no tension in the village."

The police said that it allowed the panchayat as a way of keeping the peace, as per the report.    

Meanwhile, Jaan Mohammad, Akhlaq's brother told the TV channel, "I appeal to all, please maintain our communal harmony. We just want truth to be revealed, and we want peace."

On the other hand, Yusuf Saifi, advocate for the victim's family, said that meat piece was recovered from the nearby transformer and not from Akhlaq's house. "We will challenge the forensic report in the court," he said.

Earlier today, prohibitory orders had been clamped and security stepped up in Bishada village in the wake of the proposed mahapanchayat over demand for registration of an FIR against Akhlaq's family for alleged cow slaughter nine months after he was lynched over rumour that his family had eaten beef.

District Magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar NP Singh had clamped Section 144 CrPC and issued prohibitory orders banning gathering of five or more persons in the district after villagers had announced panchayat for today.

Residents of the village, including kin of the accused in the September 2015 Akhlaq lynching case, yesterday had met the SSP to press their demand for registration of an FIR against Akhlaq's family after a forensic report stated that the meat found in his house was that of "cow or its progeny".

VHP leader Surindera Jain had yesterday visited the village and claimed that the accused had been falsely implicated.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Vinay Katiyar supported the demand for registration of FIR against Akhlaq's family members and demanded that the compensation given to them be withdrawn.

"The question is that cow slaughter had taken place. The report has come and now FIR should be lodged against those involved in cow slaughter. Those who have been locked up in jail should be released. The compensation should be withdrawn. Government should take back the three houses given to them," the BJP leader said, as per PTI.

The Congress, meanwhile, criticised the statements of BJP leaders, saying it will vitiate the atmosphere.

"Calling for mahapanchayat and the statements being made after the forensic report came are not proper. Whether it is the Centre or the state government, it should be stopped," PL Punia said. 

(With Agency inputs)