Charkhi Dadri: The lynching of Sabir Ali, a migrant worker from West Bengal, in Haryana’s Charkhi Dadri district has left the migrant community paralyzed with fear. The incident, which occurred on August 27, involved vigilantes attacking Ali over the suspicion of consuming beef. The brutal act has since forced other migrants in the area to abandon their work, fearing similar violence, reported The Indian Express.
Sabir Ali, who was among a group of migrant workers living in makeshift shanties in Hansawas Khurd village, was lynched by a group of 15-20 men. According to eyewitnesses, Ali and another worker, Asiruddin, were beaten after being accused of consuming cow meat, although they insisted they had eaten buffalo meat.
The violence did not end with Ali’s death. Reports reveal that two other men, Aijaz and Asiruddin, were also assaulted by the same group of attackers. Aijaz was beaten at his home, while Asiruddin, who was away at work, was later brought back by the mob and attacked. Both survived the ordeal but remain deeply traumatized. Asiruddin is currently undergoing treatment in a Delhi hospital for severe injuries.
In the wake of the violence, migrant families from West Bengal and Assam have stopped working out of fear for their safety. Most of them had been earning their living by collecting rags, but they now hesitate to venture out, unsure of what might happen next. Many have sought refuge at the local police station, where they stayed for several days following the lynching.
Javed, one of the migrants, recounted how they received frantic calls from relatives on the morning of the attack, warning them of vigilantes inspecting their food. By the time they arrived home, their family members had already been assaulted.
The police have stepped in to provide security for the migrants, with 15 vehicles patrolling the area to ensure their safety. A police official noted that the district had previously been known for its communal harmony, and local villagers are now rallying in support of the victims. “Irrespective of caste and religion, everybody in the village sympathizes with the victims and wants justice,” the official said.
Despite the increased security, fear has gripped the migrant community. All 25 migrant families from the area have left, and their empty shanties remain as a stark reminder of the violence. “Since that day of violence, we have not gone back to work. We are thinking of returning to Assam. However, we cannot leave until the report on the meat sample arrives,” Javed explained.
The sarpanch’s husband, Pawan Kumar, confirmed that the migrants have vacated the area. “It has been more than a week since everyone left. Now only their shanties remain,” he said.
As police continue their investigation into the lynching, migrant families remain in limbo, unsure whether they will ever be able to return to their homes or resume their lives in peace.
The incident has cast a dark shadow over Charkhi Dadri, a district previously celebrated for its communal harmony, raising concerns about the safety of minorities in the region.
