J'khand minister terms lynching a 'stray' incident

Jharkhand Food Minister Saryu Rai Thursday said the recent lynching of a Muslim man in the state was a "stray" incident and steps will be taken to ensure such crime does not occur.

Condemning the incident, he said the state government's endeavour would be to address the gaps in the law and order implementation.

Tabrez Ansari, 24, was allegedly tied to a pole and thrashed with sticks by a mob at Dhatkidih village in Jharkhand's Seraikela Kharsawan district last Wednesday on the suspicion of theft. The newly-married man was purportedly seen in a video being forced to chant "Jai Shri Ram" and "Jai Hanuman". He succumbed to injuries on Saturday.

"This is a stray incident. We condemn it and an enquiry should be conducted," Rai told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting with Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan here.

The law and order situation has not failed in the state but the gaps have to be addressed collectively. One should not take law in their hands, he said.

Rai said, "When such incidents occur, we need to accept that there is some shortcoming. We have to address this gap collectively. The law and order should improve and that would be our endeavour."