Accused of theft, tribal youth in Kerala dies after alleged mob assault
R Krishna Kumar, DH News Service, Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 23 2018, 11:06 IST
In photographs being shared on social media, Madhu's arms are seen as tied up with what appears to be a lungi he was wearing. File photo
A mentally unstable tribal youth accused of theft died in Attappady, in Palakkad district, on Thursday after an alleged mob trial and assault. A Madhu (27), a resident of the Kadukumanna tribal hamlet, died in a police vehicle as he was being taken to a local hospital.
Madhu was alleged to have stolen valuables from shops in the locality recently and was found by residents of the area in the evening. The residents handed him over to Agali Police, after allegedly assaulting him physically. In photographs being shared on social media, Madhu’s arms are seen as tied up with what appears to be a lungi he was wearing.
Police said there were no serious external injuries but Madhu was extremely weak and troubled when he was handed over. “He was being taken to the station when he started vomiting in the vehicle. The policemen decided to take him to a hospital where he was declared dead,” a police official told DH.
In video footage of the incident, Madhu is seen as being heckled by a group of men who also search contents of his bag. The mob found rice and bakery items from him, police said. Madhu is alleged to have been assaulted in a forest where he was spotted before he was brought to the village.
Minister for Welfare of SC, ST and Backward Classes A K Balan said the government would take stringent action against the culprits. “Let the investigation continue. The SP has been directed to supervise the probe; the Chief Minister has also discussed the matter with the DGP,” the minister told reporters.
“Such incidents are a blemish on the social and cultural progress Kerala has made. Measures will be taken to ensure that they are not repeated,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
The incident has set off protests by activists in the region. On social media, the death has also sparked off debates on the reality of vigilante mobs in what is perceived as a progressive, inclusive society.
Police have registered a case of unnatural death. The role of local residents who handed Madhu over to the police will be established only after the inquest, the official said. Madhu had been living away from his family and used to remain untraced in the forests for long periods. The police were planning to admit him in the Government Tribal Specialty Hospital at Kottathara for treatment.
Madhu was alleged to have stolen valuables from shops in the locality recently and was found by residents of the area in the evening. The residents handed him over to Agali Police, after allegedly assaulting him physically. In photographs being shared on social media, Madhu’s arms are seen as tied up with what appears to be a lungi he was wearing.
Police said there were no serious external injuries but Madhu was extremely weak and troubled when he was handed over. “He was being taken to the station when he started vomiting in the vehicle. The policemen decided to take him to a hospital where he was declared dead,” a police official told DH.
In video footage of the incident, Madhu is seen as being heckled by a group of men who also search contents of his bag. The mob found rice and bakery items from him, police said. Madhu is alleged to have been assaulted in a forest where he was spotted before he was brought to the village.
Minister for Welfare of SC, ST and Backward Classes A K Balan said the government would take stringent action against the culprits. “Let the investigation continue. The SP has been directed to supervise the probe; the Chief Minister has also discussed the matter with the DGP,” the minister told reporters.
“Such incidents are a blemish on the social and cultural progress Kerala has made. Measures will be taken to ensure that they are not repeated,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
The incident has set off protests by activists in the region. On social media, the death has also sparked off debates on the reality of vigilante mobs in what is perceived as a progressive, inclusive society.
Police have registered a case of unnatural death. The role of local residents who handed Madhu over to the police will be established only after the inquest, the official said. Madhu had been living away from his family and used to remain untraced in the forests for long periods. The police were planning to admit him in the Government Tribal Specialty Hospital at Kottathara for treatment.
