Addressing the protest in Patna, AIPWA General Secretary Meena Tiwari said that the incident exposes the serious erosion of the rule of law in Bihar. She said that a sustained communal atmosphere is being created in the state by the BJP. Athar Hussain was brutally beaten, branded with a hot object, his ears were cut, a finger was broken and petrol was poured on his private parts. After being left in a critical condition, a false case of theft was lodged against him. He died during treatment on December 12.
CPIML MLA Sandeep Saurav pointed out that incidents of mob violence and bulldozer action have increased after Samrat Choudhary took charge as Home Minister. Any attempt by the NDA government to impose the so-called Yogi model in Bihar would be disastrous for social harmony and democracy and would be strongly resisted. CPIML MLC Shashi Yadav said that Mohammad Athar Hussain was targeted merely on the suspicion of being Muslim and was subjected to inhuman torture. She held the police, district administration and medical negligence directly responsible for his death.
The protesters demanded immediate arrest and strict punishment of all those involved in the killing of Mohammad Athar Hussain, security and adequate compensation for the victim’s family, withdrawal of false cases, action against guilty police personnel and officials, an immediate halt to bulldozer actions and mob rule. Protest marches and demonstrations were also organised in Nawada, Nalanda, Darbhanga, Ara and several other districts.
CPI(ML) - Insaaf Manch Fact Finding Team
Earlier on December 5, a joint state-level team of CPI(ML) and Insaaf Manch visited Nawada on to investigate the incident. The team reported that Mohammad Athar Hussain was attacked after being identified as a Muslim and was subjected to extreme cruelty. They further observed that Bhatta village and nearby localities are gripped by fear in the aftermath of the incident. The team noted that after the incident an atmosphere of fear prevails in Bhatta village and surrounding areas. The accused are allegedly being given protection and no serious investigation into their background has been carried out so far.
CPI(ML) and Insaaf Manch appealed to the people of Bihar to come forward to defend the Constitution, democracy and justice, and asserted that the struggle against mob rule, hatred and repression would continue.
