Civil Society Raises Concerns Over Alleged Lynching in Chhattisgarh A prominent civil society group, ‘Chhattisgarh Nagrik Samaj’, held a demonstration at Ambedkar Chowk near Raipur collectorate, expressing serious concerns over the alleged lynching incident that took place on June 7 in Arang, 40 km from Raipur. Incident and Investigation Two youths, Chand Miyan (24) and Guddu Khan (35), were killed in the early hours of June 7 while transporting buffaloes to Odisha’s Sambalpur market from Chhattisgarh’s Mahasamund. A third person, Saddam Qureshi, was injured and hospitalized. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to investigate the incident, but the group alleges that no arrests have been made and crucial clues have not been gathered. Lack of Transparency Chhattisgarh Nagrik Samaj believes that the investigation lacks transparency and is influenced by external interference. The group’s co-founder, Dr. Rakesh Gupta, submitted a memorandum to the Governor requesting a transparent investigation led by a competent officer. SIT’s Response SIT chief Kirtan Rathore acknowledged that no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. He stated that he had some leads but sharing them would hinder the probe. Muslim Organizations Join Protest Muslim organizations joined the protest, demanding justice for the victims and the arrest of suspected cow vigilantes. They met with state DGP Ashok Juneja, who assured them of prompt action and measures to prevent such incidents in the future. DGP’s Assurance Nauman Akram, general secretary of All India Ulma Mashayak Board Chhattisgarh, said that the DGP promised to expedite the investigation, arrest the suspects, and add relevant IPC sections to the case. Ongoing Concerns The civil society group expressed concerns that the SIT might remain a formality and that the lack of arrests and transparency could indicate a lack of political will to address the issue. They continue to demand a thorough and transparent investigation.
Protests have erupted in Kanker district of Chhattisgarh after the alleged mob lynching of two cattle transporting men on May 29. The incident occurred in the Charama area of the district when a group of villagers attacked a vehicle carrying cattle, alleging that the men were involved in cow smuggling. The victims, identified as Salim Qureshi and Ayub Qureshi, were critically injured and later died in hospital. The incident has sparked outrage among the Muslim community, who have been demanding justice for the victims and a thorough investigation into the matter. Protests have been held in several parts of the district, with demonstrators demanding the arrest of the accused and compensation for the victims’ families. The police have registered a case and are investigating the incident, but no arrests have been made so far. The delay in the investigation has further fueled the anger of the protesters, who are alleging that the police are not taking the matter seriously due to political pressure. They have threatened to intensify their protests if justice is not delivered soon. Meanwhile, the district administration has imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in the affected areas to prevent further violence. The situation remains tense, and the police are on high alert to prevent any untoward incidents.
