Labourer Lynched Over Pro-Pakistan Slogans, 20 Arrested

Mangaluru (The Uttam Hindu): Amidst the atmosphere of anger spread across the country after the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, a disturbing incident has come to light from Mangaluru district of Karnataka. Here a daily wage laborer was beaten to death by a mob on the charge of raising the slogan "Pakistan Zindabad". The police has taken action in this case and has arrested 20 people so far.

Police said on Wednesday that the deceased has been identified as Ashraf, a resident of Wayanad in Kerala. Ashraf used to work as a laborer in Mangaluru. Police have so far arrested 20 accused in connection with this murder and they are being questioned, while the search for the other 5 accused involved in this incident is on.

The incident came to light on Sunday evening around 5.30 pm when the police received information about an unidentified body found in Kudupu area. Initially, there were no external injury marks on the body, due to which the police initially registered a case of unnatural death and the body was sent to Wenlock District Hospital for post-mortem. Kulshekar resident Deepak Kumar lodged a complaint with the police in this matter.

The police identified the accused based on the clues found at the crime scene and the photos and videos shared on social media and began to arrest them. Initial police investigation and interrogation of the accused revealed that while watching the cricket match, Ashraf had allegedly raised slogans in support of Pakistan. This infuriated about 25 youths present there and they attacked Ashraf. These youths beat Ashraf brutally, leading to his death.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reacted to this mob lynching incident in Kudupu, Mangaluru. He has said that the police is seriously investigating the matter and strict legal action will be taken against all the accused after the investigation is completed. However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also made it clear that raising slogans in support of Pakistan is absolutely wrong and it is akin to treason, but no person has the right to take the law into his own hands. He said that the law will do its job and the culprits will be punished.