Patna, January 4: The lynching of Mohammed Kabul in Simarbani village of Araria district has sparked tensions across the region, with residents fearing communal violence in sensitive pockets. The minorities in the district allege that Kabul was murdered under a well-hatched conspiracy. The deceased was killed after being accused of cattle theft.

Kabul was lynched by a mob in Simarbani village under Sikti police station area of the district last week and the matter came to light after a video, shot by those watching the brutal assault, was uploaded on the social media three days ago, Sub Divisional Police Officer, Araria, K D Singh said. Lynching in India: Understanding Mob Violence and The Psychology Behind The Killings.

The police officer said an FIR has been lodged against "unknown persons" since the identity of the assailants could not be made out from the video footage wherein the middle-aged man can be seen pleading with the attackers that he had no reason to steal a cattle.

"There is tension in Simarbani. Kabul's relatives are angry and demanding that a named FIR be registered. We have assured them that the same would be done as soon as we get evidence against any suspect", Singh said.

District Magistrate Himanshu Sharma said he was "not aware of the details of the incident but instructions have been issued for maintaining order in the area and bringing the guilty to book at the earliest".

Mob lynchings have been witnessed in various parts of Bihar over the past few months. On Wednesday, two persons including a boy in his early teens were beaten to death in Nalanda district by a mob which was agitated over the murder of an RJD leader.

Bihar's Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav trained guns at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after the murder of Kabul. Questioning the safety of minorities under the BJP-JD(U) government, Yadav said the state has turned into a haven for communal elements after the fall of mahagathbandhan.

"Mobocracy prevails in Bihar. Mandate robbers led by Nitish Kumar has turned Bihar into “Lynch-Vihar”. 7 Murders in last 24 hours. Law and order is out of control in Bihar as Nitish government is working hand in glove with criminals," he added.

(With PTI inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 04, 2019 08:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).