Three Muslim meat traders were allegedly attacked by a mob in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district on the eve of Republic Day, January 25. The incident took place in the Julpia area under the Bishnupur Police Station. The victims, Faraj Ali Piyada, aged 35, Akkash Ali Piyada, aged 37, and Ansar Ali Piyada, aged 29, are residents of Khodar Bazar Madhyapara in Baruipur and have been running a mutton business at the local Kachari Bazar for several years. They were left seriously injured and deeply traumatized after the attack.
According to the victims’ families, the ordeal began with a business-related disagreement. A group of customers at their shop reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the mutton provided. Despite the traders slaughtering three additional goats to satisfy the customers, the group refused the meat and demanded a refund. The victims’ father allegedly returned the money immediately to avoid conflict.
However, the matter did not end there. As Faraj Ali was returning from the shop later that evening, he was intercepted at the Julpia Koylar More by four individuals. He was allegedly dragged into a nearby village where a mob of 40 to 50 people descended upon him. “They beat me half-dead before the police arrived,” Faraj recounted. He alleged that the mob used communal slurs, shouting, “You are Muslim Bangladeshis, eating and living off our land.”
The brutality escalated when Akkash Ali arrived at the scene after receiving a phone call. He alleged that the mob surrounded him, hurled communal abuses, and demanded to see his Aadhaar card. When he could not produce it immediately, he was reportedly forced to write derogatory and obscene statements about his own parentage under duress.
The most harrowing testimony came from Sujata Bibi, Akkash’s wife, who rushed to the spot when her husband failed to return home. She described a scene of absolute lawlessness. She told The Observer Post, “They were armed and were beating my husband. When I tried to intervene, they molested me, tore my clothes, and kicked me in the chest.”
She further alleged that the attackers forcefully stripped the men to “verify” their religious identity through circumcision marks before continuing the assault with the intent to kill.
Ansar Ali, who was also thrashed when he tried to rescue his brothers, stated that the mob looted their gold chains, wallets, and cash during the assault. The three men were initially rushed to Baruipur Hospital in critical condition. Though they have since been discharged, they remain bedridden at home, struggling with severe physical injuries and acute psychological distress. “When I think about the physical torture, I break down,” said one of the victims.
Their father, visibly emotional, expressed a sense of hopelessness, stating that they are now relying entirely on human rights activists and the legal system for justice.
A senior police official confirmed that an investigation is underway and three suspects have already been arrested. “We are conducting raids to apprehend the remaining accused,” the official stated.
However, the victims have expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of the arrests. They identified several “main culprits”, including Chandan Mondal, Kartik Naskar, Indra Ghosh, and Akash, who they claim are still roaming free and were instrumental in orchestrating the mob violence.
The incident has drawn condemnation from legal and human rights circles. Advocate Asfak Ahammed, Chairman of the Indian Justice Forum, visited the family and termed the incident a “premeditated communal terror.”
“Such communal terrorism, politics of hate, and hooliganism will not be tolerated in a democratic society. We will continue our legal and democratic struggle until these victims get justice,” Ahammed said.
The Indian Justice Forum has placed a formal charter of demands before the administration. Apprehend all named accused, including those currently absconding. Register the case under non-bailable sections, treating it as a communal hate crime and an attempt to murder. Provide full security and adequate financial compensation to the affected family. Ensure the filing of a quick chargesheet and a time-bound trial in a fast-track court.
