More Cow Protection Links Emerge In Jharkhand Cattle Traders' Murder

Latehar, Jharkhand: For 7 years, businessman Suresh Ram has led a cow protection group in Latehar s Balumath town -- 15 km from the spot where a 32-year-old cattle trader and a 12-year-old boy were beaten up and hanged on Friday.

The Jharkhand police said Mithilesh Sahu, one of the five men arrested, was a member of this organisation, but claimed robbery was the motive of the murders. The families of the two murdered persons claim they were targeted as they were cattle traders.

Asked if Mr Sahu was indeed a member of his organisation, Suresh Ram sounded cryptic.  "So many people are using our name. In fact, the whole country is using our name," he said.

In February, Mr Ram led 500 locals to an all-India cow protection rally in Delhi. In 2012, he was named in a case of assault. The victims, the assailants had claimed, were transporting beef. A compromise was worked out later.

The Jharkhand police have not revealed the names of the three men who are yet to be arrested for last week's murders. One of them is another cow protection activist, who locals allege, has a history of violence and links to a right-wing organisation.

At the home of Manoj Sahu -- another accused who runs a local school -- Nirmala Devi said her son was being framed. His only fault, she said, was that he was part of a local group collecting funds for temple construction.

"We were sleeping at night when the police came, broke down our door and took him away," she said.

At the homes of those who died, politics had taken over, with both local and national political leaders visiting. A dharna has also been planned.

"I have no faith in the CBI, but in the given circumstances, the Jharkhand police is totally compromised and cannot be expected to carry out a fair inquiry," said Brinda Karat of the CPM,  who met both families.

The police say their immediate priority is to ensure peace through Holi, which is two days away.