Biswanath, April 9: In a shocking case reported from Assam, a Muslim man was thrashed and abused for allegedly selling beef in Biswanath district on Sunday. According to reports, police officials have detained at least five people after the video went viral showing a man on his knees, begging to let him go.

The mob attack victim, identified as Shaukat Ali, was thrashed on the road and was force-fed pork to hurt his religious sentiments. In the video, the faces of attackers are not visible but their voices can be heard. “Why did you come to sell beef here?” asked one while another said, "are you a Bangladeshi? Is your name on the NRC (National Register of Citizen)?”.

“The video appears to be genuine. We have received an FIR from a relative of Ali,” said Biswanath SP Rakesh Roshan to The Indian Express. According to the police complaint, Ali was attacked by a mob and forced to eat meat. Meanwhile, a case has been registered and an investigation is on into the matter. Muslim Man Beaten Up Outside Ghaziabad Court For Trying To Marry Hindu Girl; Video Goes Viral.

According to his family, Ali runs a rice-and-meat shop twice a week in Biswanath district and on other days he sells veils, ittar, and religious texts. On the attack day, Ali was selling buffalo meat. The mob attacked him when he was about to leave the shop in the evening.

The Assam Cattle Preservation Act (ACPA) of 1950 allows the slaughter of cattle after 14 years of age or if they are incapable of breeding. The law demands that such cattle should be given a “fit-for-slaughter certificate” by a doctor. Unlike many Indian states, the ACPA does not distinguish between cows, buffaloes or bulls.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 09, 2019 10:20 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).