BJP leader, 2 others held in Jharkhand lynching over suspected beef trade

The 40-year-old was beaten to death by a mob on suspicion that he was carrying beef in his vehicle

A local BJP leader was among three persons arrested while another person surrendered in the court in connection with the lynching of a meat trader in Ramgarh district recently, police said.

Nityanand Mahato, the local BJP leader, and Santosh Singh were arrested in the case. Another accused Chhotu Rana surrendered in Ramgarh court, Superintendent of Police Kishore Kaushal said yesterday.

Police have also taken a man into custody for interrogation.

A 40-year-old meat trader, a resident of village Manua in Hazaribagh district, was beaten to death by a mob on Thursday on suspicion that he was carrying beef in his vehicle.

The mob also set the vehicle on fire.

The incident took place at Bazaartand locality of Ramgarh town.

The district administration had deployed additional security forces and imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC in view of the tension on Friday last.

Though the situation in Ramgarh limped back to normal, security forces are still present all 33 sensitive joints of the district.

The incident in Ramgarh took place just a couple of days after a mob attacked and injured a man in Giridih district on suspicion that he had slaughtered a cow.