Family's Sole Breadwinner Killed by Cow Vigilantes in Odisha
Sk Makandar Mahammad left home on Tuesday night with a promise to his children. He told them he would take them to the local Makar Mela festivities after returning from work. The 35-year-old mason never returned home alive.
Early Wednesday morning, Makandar was brutally beaten to death. Alleged cow vigilantes attacked him while he was traveling in a van transporting cattle. The assault happened on the outskirts of Balasore in Odisha.
A Family of Seven Loses Their Only Support
Makandar's brother, Sk Jitendar Mahammad, shared heartbreaking details about their family situation. "He was the only earning member of our family," Jitendar told The Indian Express.
The family comprises seven members:
- Makandar's wife
- Three children, including a two-month-old baby
- His mother
- His father, who suffers from paralysis
They live in Astia, a village near Balasore. Makandar worked as a mason in Balasore town, earning about Rs 500 daily. This modest income supported the entire family.
"We don't know why he had gone in that van that day," Jitendar said, expressing confusion about his brother's presence in the vehicle.
Violent Assault and Confusing Police Response
The attack occurred in the early hours of Wednesday. A group of men stopped the van and objected to the cattle transportation. They allegedly assaulted both the driver and Makandar with deadly weapons.
Makandar sustained serious injuries to his head and multiple body parts. Police rescued him and took him to Balasore district hospital. He died during treatment hours later.
Police initially registered a confusing FIR. This first complaint came from a sub-inspector at Balasore Sadar police station. It named only the driver and owner of the van, completely omitting the assault.
The initial FIR claimed the pickup van loaded with cattle was driven rashly from Jayadeva Kasba. It stated the vehicle lost balance and overturned on the roadside. Police registered this under:
- The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act
- The Orissa Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act
- Sections of the BNS
Only later did police register a proper assault FIR based on Jitendar's complaint. He clearly stated that five persons detained the van and brutally attacked his brother.
Family Demands Complete Justice
Police have arrested three people in connection with the case. However, Jitendar insists more were involved in the assault. He demands that all assailants face arrest and justice.
"We have faith that police will take necessary action and arrest the other accused," Jitendar said, expressing cautious hope in the system.
The grieving brother raised fundamental questions about vigilante justice. "Who has given these goons the authority to take the law into their hands?" he asked passionately.
Jitendar continued, "Even if my brother had committed any crime, they should have handed him over to police to take necessary action as per the law. How can they kill someone?"
He emphasized that such violence should never happen to anyone else. The family wants this tragedy to serve as a warning against extrajudicial actions.
A Community in Mourning
Family members described their traumatic experience at the hospital. "When we reached the hospital after getting the information, the doctor declared him dead and took his body for postmortem," one relative recalled.
The incident has left the Astia community in shock. Makandar's death creates not just emotional devastation but also severe financial insecurity for his dependents.
His three young children will grow up without their father. His paralyzed father loses his primary caregiver. The entire family structure collapses with the loss of their sole breadwinner.
As investigations continue, the family waits for complete justice. They hope all responsible individuals will face legal consequences for taking a life and destroying a family.
