ZCZC
BFF-63
MOB-ATTACK-INDIA
Mob attacks popular spiritual leader in eastern India
NEW DELHI, July 17 (BSS/Xinhua) — Swami Agnivesh, a self-claimed spiritual
leader and popular social worker, was attacked by a mob in India’s eastern
state of Jharkhand, sources close to him said Tuesday.
TV news channels showed an enraged mob pushing, kicking and attacking the
spiritual leader even as he emerged out of the hotel he was staying in the
state’s Pakur district.
According to the sources, the victimised leader alleged that he was
attacked by the youth members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
He tweeted: “There was no police personnel present there. Even when I
repeatedly called the local police and administration personnel, they didn’t
turn up. I was told that BJP’s youth members want to protest. I told them
there is no need to protest, they can come in and talk. No one came in at
that time.”
Meanwhile, state chief minister Raghubar Das said he ordered a probe into
the incident. The state unit of the BJP denied involvement of the party’s
youth members.
Incidentally, the mob attack on Swami Agnivesh came only a day after the
country’s apex court condemned the increasing number of mob violence and
recent lynching incidents reported from different parts of the country. The
court also asked the government to frame laws to punish offenders.
BSS/XINHUA/ARS/1854 hrs