Lucknow:
The family of 50-year-old Mohammad Ikhlaq who was killed by a mob on Monday night in Dadri in Uttar Pradesh allegedly over rumours that he had eaten beef met Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today.
When the family arrived in Lucknow last night, his mother said she was upset that culprits have not been punished yet. "I am shattered. No action has been taken as yet," she said.
Mr Ikhlaq and his 22-year-old son were dragged from their house by around 100 villagers and beaten with bricks. His son is critical. Half an hour before the attack, an announcement was allegedly made at a temple nearby that a calf had been slaughtered and its carcass had been found near a transformer.
No names were taken in the announcement, but there are only two Muslim families in the area and the other family was out. The police are investigating who started the rumours in a part of western Uttar Pradesh that is prone to trouble at the slightest provocation.
Two key accused were arrested yesterday, bringing the total number of arrests to nine.
Two key accused - identified as Vishal Rana and Shivam Kumar - were arrested yesterday after a five-day manhunt, bringing the total number of arrests to nine. Police sources indicated that they suspect Vishal was among the main conspirators. He allegedly organised a meeting in which people were provoked to attack Mr Ikhlaq's family.
Killing cows is illegal in Uttar Pradesh.