Breaking its silence over the mob attack on the family of Mohammad Akhlaq, father of an Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel over rumours of beef eating in Dadri, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha said they were in touch with the family, and looking to move them to a secure military locality.
“I am also planning to meet the air warrior and extend all support to look after him and his family’s welfare,” Air Chief Marshal Raha said.
“It is very unfortunate that a serving air force personnel’s family has been adversely affected, resulting in death in the family. We are already in touch, senior-level officers are in touch with the family,” he told reporters.
Referring to the slain man’s son - corporal Mohammad Sartaj’s letter to the Uttar Pradesh government to not let politicians politicise the issue, Air Chief Marshal Raha said: “Writing to the State government or the Central government in this matter is superfluous because everybody has understood that such things cannot be accepted. Adequate actions are being taken by the governments at both the levels.”
"Whatever protection is required, we are giving it to him. We are trying to move the family to some Air Force area. We are with him and our people are there to assist the family," said Air Chief Marshal Raha.
Air Force sources said, Sartaj, a flight engineer, is posted at an Air Force base in Channi and the family could be shifted to the same base, or he could also be transferred to another location to ensure that his family was comfortable.
- » In Dadri's Bishara village on September 28, a 50-year-old Mohammad Akhlaq was lynched and his son Danish (22) was brutally beaten up as punishment for allegedly eating beef on Eid and 'storing it' for later consumption.
- » A riot-like situation gripped the sleepy village, a little over 40 km from the bustling sub-city of Noida, near Delhi, on September 29, when their relatives were barred from participating in the funeral procession.
- » It was mutton, said the slain man's mother Asgari Begum.
- » The Uttar Pradesh government on September 30 ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and also announced a compensation of Rs.10 lakh for the family of the victim.
- »Editorial:>No thought for food
- »> Despite prohibitory orders, Dadri gets high-profile visitors
- >
Dadri temple priest detained; Centre seeks report from U.P.
The Centre has also sent an advisory to the State to keep a check on incidents of communal violence.
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UP launches probe into killing over beef
As the rumour spread, villagers blocked a highway in Bisrakh area on September 29, demanding death penalty for those involved in the slaughter.
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Union Minister Mahesh Sharma terms Dadri killing as 'accident'
He said that no "communal colour" should be given to it, even as the family of the victim is planning to move out of the village fearing that it may happen again.
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AAP sought removal of Mahesh Sharma, Kejriwal was stopped from entering Dadri village on October 03
The party demanded removal of Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma for his remarks.
