A man in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly beating a labourer from Bihar after the latter refused to work, police said on Thursday. The incident came to light after a video of the assault went viral on social media.
Arrest after viral video
Station House Officer (SHO) Satyanarayan Dahiya said the police registered a case based on the viral video and arrested the accused. The victim, a labourer originally from Bihar, was allegedly beaten by the suspect for declining to perform work.
The SHO confirmed that legal action was taken promptly after the footage surfaced online, leading to the arrest. Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the accused or the victim, pending further investigation.
Details of the assault
According to police, the incident occurred in a village under the jurisdiction of the local police station. The labourer had reportedly refused to comply with the accused's demand to work, which triggered the physical assault. The video clip, widely shared on social media platforms, showed the man being struck repeatedly.
Police did not specify the nature of the work or the relationship between the two individuals. However, sources indicated that the labourer had migrated from Bihar to Uttar Pradesh in search of employment.
Police response and legal action
SHO Dahiya stated that the police acted swiftly upon noticing the viral video. “We registered a case and arrested the accused. The investigation is ongoing,” he said. The accused has been booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for assault and causing hurt.
The labourer is reported to be in stable condition and has provided his statement to the police. Authorities are also probing whether any prior disputes existed between the parties.
Broader context of migrant labour issues
This incident highlights the vulnerabilities faced by migrant labourers in India, particularly those from economically weaker states like Bihar working in other regions. Labour rights activists have often raised concerns about the exploitation and mistreatment of such workers, including wage disputes and forced labour conditions.
In this case, the refusal to work led to a violent response, underscoring the power imbalances that can exist in informal employment arrangements. The police have assured that the law will take its course.
