HAPUR/UTTAR PRADESH: The Uttar Pradesh police have apologised after the photograph of a man beaten by a mob, allegedly over cow slaughter rumours in Hapur district, being dragged by locals in the presence of cops, went viral on the social media. Three policemen present at the spot have now been taken off duty.
Two men --- 45-year-old Qasim and Samayuddin, 65 --- were assaulted by a mob on Wednesday, about 70 kilometres from Delhi. While Qasim, who was dragged by locals, died later in hospital, the other person has been seriously injured.
Police say the photograph was taken a few minutes after they arrived and tried to take the victims of vigilante justice to hospital.
"Because of non-availability of an ambulance at that moment, the victim was carried in the manner. Admittedly, the policemen should have been more sensitive in their conduct" , said a statement from the Director General of Police (Headquarters).
A one-minute video that emerged yesterday showed Qasim lying in a field, his clothes almost torn off. He can be heard writhing in pain. A voice off camera warns the attackers, also off camera, to back off and give some water to him. "You have hit him, assaulted him, enough is enough. Please understand. There are consequences", says the voice.