India: Muslim man dies after alleged Hindu attack
Basheer Ahmed, 47, was attacked last week in Mangalore by Hindus seeking revenge for BJP activist's death, say police
A Muslim man who was stabbed in southern India last week in alleged retaliation for the murder of a Hindu activist died on Sunday.
Basheer Ahmed, 47, was attacked last Wednesday in Mangalore by a group of men while returning from his fast-food shop. The attack blamed on Hindus came just hours after the murder of Deepak Rao, an activist of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The police had earlier arrested four people in connection with his death.
According to police, the attackers were seeking revenge from someone in the Muslim community.
“These people wanted to get revenge. They saw Basheer and attacked him many times,” said Mangalore Police Commissioner T.R. Suresh.
“We are still investigating those arrested. They have been working for a Hindu organization and have been opposed to the Muslim community,” a senior police official, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media, told Anadolu Agency.
Police have also arrested four people for the murder of Rao.
After Rao’s murder, a day-long shutdown was observed in the city by right-wing Hindu groups.
According to the anonymous police official, security was beefed up across the city after the Muslim man’s death on Sunday.
Karnatak Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced compensation of 1 million rupees ($15,900) for the man’s family.
