Kerala: Migrant Asked If He Was Bangladeshi, Lynched to Death
Five people — Anu, Prasad, Murali, Anandhan, and Vipin — have been arrested in connection with the brutal incident and face serious charges like murder, causing hurt, violating public order, using criminal force against a public servant, wrongful restraint, and destroying public property.
Thiruvananthapuram: The body of 31-year-old migrant labourer Ram Narayan Bhayar from Chhattisgarh, who was beaten to death by a group of people in Attappallam, Palakkad district, Kerala, will be sent to his hometown.
Earlier, his family, including his wife, two children, brother, and an action council, staged a protest refusing to claim the body, demanding strict action against the accused and appropriate compensation. After discussions with Revenue Minister K Rajan and the Palakkad district administration, and receiving assurances of support, they decided to end their protest. “We have decided to make all arrangements to send Ram Narayan Bhayar’s body to his native place. His close family members will also be flown to Chhattisgarh,” the minister said.
The action council, after several rounds of talks with the authorities demanding justice for Bhayar, announced that the government had agreed to their demands, including compensation of 10 lakh for his family. Bhayar, originally from Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh, had come to Kerala in search of a job on December 13. His mob lynching on December 17 sparked widespread outrage across the state.
Five people — Anu, Prasad, Murali, Anandhan, and Vipin — have been arrested in connection with the brutal incident and face serious charges like murder, causing hurt, violating public order, using criminal force against a public servant, wrongful restraint, and destroying public property. Multiple cases have been filed against them at Walayar, Town North, and Kasaba police stations.
Crime Branch sources revealed that accused 1, 2, 3, and 5 are BJP-RSS, while the fourth accused is a CITU worker. Anu, the first accused, already has 15 cases pending against him.
Local body minister M B Rajesh, from Palakkad district, said the political affiliation and criminal background of the accused are clear.
CPM state secretary M V Govindan said the migrant worker was lynched by RSS criminals. “They are hardcore criminals with an RSS background. These people have been committing such hate crimes in the rest of the country and now executing here as well," he said.
People of the state have recognised their hatred,” he said.
BJP leader Kummanam Rajashekharan stated there was no need to view the mob lynching incident through a political lens. “It is a horrific case of mob lynching, a distressing social evil that must be addressed accordingly,” he said.
Bhayar was attacked on December 17 between 1 pm and 4 pm by five accused individuals and another group, including women. They beat him with sticks and repeatedly slapped, punched, and kicked him.
According to reports, while attacking the migrant worker, some of the assailants were asking him, "Are you a Bangladeshi?
The migrant worker was taken to Palakkad district hospital with severe injuries. According to a report by Wayalar police, hospital authorities said Bhayar complained of unbearable pain and was bleeding from his face, lips, and nose. He later succumbed to his injuries.
The police have taken statements from witnesses and reviewed video footage of the mob lynching. “We are continuing to analyze the footage, as more people may be involved. Once their involvement is confirmed, additional suspects will be charged,” said Palakkad district police chief Ajit Kumar. The disturbing video, shared on social media, revealed the severity of the attack, showing the migrant worker being brutally beaten while his attackers relentlessly questioned him.
