The family of a man who was allegedly beaten to death by a mob in Kerala's Palakkad district has put forth a set of stringent demands before the authorities. They are refusing to accept the victim's body until their conditions, which include a substantial compensation package and a rigorous legal investigation, are met by the government.
Family's Demands: Compensation and Stringent Legal Action
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the brother of the 31-year-old victim, Ramnarayan Bhayar, outlined their non-negotiable demands. The primary request is for the immediate provision of Rs 25 lakh as compensation for the victim's two young children. "My brother has two children. Our demand to the government is that the children should be provided immediate compensation of Rs 25 lakh," he stated.
Emphasising their social identity, the family highlighted that they belong to the scheduled caste community. Consequently, they have insisted that the investigation into the killing must proceed under the stringent provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The brother lamented that the grieving family has not received any form of assistance or support from the government in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Details of the Alleged Lynching Incident
The fatal incident occurred on Wednesday evening in the area of Kizhakeattappallam near Walayar. Ramnarayan Bhayar, who originally hailed from Chhattisgarh, was accused by locals of being involved in a theft. Following this allegation, he was reportedly subjected to a severe beating by a group of individuals.
The injured man was rushed to the Palakkad District Government Hospital for urgent medical treatment. However, he later succumbed to his injuries. The police have confirmed that the postmortem examination has been completed and the body is currently being preserved at the mortuary of a government hospital in Palakkad.
Police Investigation and Arrests
In response to the incident, law enforcement authorities have taken swift action. Five people have been arrested so far in connection with the case. They are accused of beating the victim to death based on suspicion of theft. The police investigation is ongoing to ascertain the complete sequence of events and identify any other individuals involved.
The family's firm stance of not accepting the mortal remains until their demands are addressed has added a layer of urgency to the situation. It underscores the larger issues of mob violence, justice for marginalised communities, and the support systems for families of victims in such brutal cases.
