Hindu extremists beat Muslim man to death in Jharkhand
New Delhi: In a chilling act of violence, a group of Hindu extremists brutally beat a 45-year-old Muslim man to death in Godda district of Jharkhand state.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the incident occurred in the village of Matihani, under the jurisdiction of the Poraiyahat police station. The victim, identified as Pappu Ansari, a resident of Ranipur village, was accused by the Hindu extremists of cattle theft. The Indian Express reported that Ansari was returning from the Shayam Bazaar cattle market in Bihar’s Banka district when the assault took place near the Matihani football ground.
An FIR was registered at the Poraiyahat police station based on the complaint filed by Pappu’s wife, Ayesha Begum. According to the FIR, a group of around 20-25 people stopped Pappu’s vehicle and began questioning him. The attackers then asked for his name, and upon learning he was a Muslim, they launched a violent attack. The assailants, armed with sharp weapons such as an axe, sickle, and arrows, brutally beat Pappu to death on the spot and left his body in a nearby field. Pappu is survived by his wife, four daughters, and a son.
Furqan Ansari, Pappu’s brother-in-law, explained that Pappu had visited the the cattle market in the evening and was returning at night. Around 11 PM, a group of people stopped their vehicle. When the crowd became violent, Pappu told the driver and others to flee in the vehicle to save their lives. He mentioned that the others managed to escape, but Pappu was caught and beaten. Furqan added that the attackers inquired about his name, and upon learning that he was Muslim, they attacked him. “This has nothing to do with cattle theft. It is about religion,” Furqan said.
Farqan clarified that Pappu was a legal livestock transporter, working with the necessary documents. He owned a pickup truck and regularly transported cattle between markets in Bihar and Jharkhand. This was his sole means of livelihood, and he had been engaged in this work for years without any issues.
Poraiyahat Police Superintendent Mukesh Kumar confirmed that an FIR has been filed, and an investigation is ongoing.
