Seat scuffle, beef slur lead to murder on Mathura train
JUNAID AND HIS TWO BROTHERS WERE RETURNING HOME TO HARYANA AFTER EID SHOPPING IN DELHI
BALLABGARH (HARYANA): One minor Muslim boy was allegedly stabbed to death and four others were injured on board a Mathura-bound train, police said on Friday, when an argument over a seat turned into religious slurs and triggered a mob attack on family members returning home from Eid shopping.
The incident took place on Thursday evening between Okhla and Asoti in Haryana, a distance of about 60 km.
Police said one person was arrested on Friday and he has confessed to his involvement in the killing of Hafiz Junaid (16), which came amid several incidents of assaults on Muslims across the country over beef and cow slaughter.
Opposition parties accuse the BJP-led government at the Centre of not reigning in fringe groups which are allegedly targeting the minority community over issues considered sacrosanct by the Hindus.
The four injured told Hindustan Times at Khaddawli, a small village in Haryana’s Faridabad district, the attackers repeatedly called them “anti-nationals” and “beef eaters”, threw their skull caps on the floor, caught their beards and taunted them with terms such as “mulla”.
Junaid was a student of Islamic studies in Surat, Gujarat along with his brother Hashim (20). The other injured are Md Mausin (16) and Md Moin (18).
Junaid’s elder brother Md Sakir, who boarded the train at Ballabgarh after being informed over phone by one of them, was also allegedly stabbed and is admitted to AIIMS.
Hashim said trouble started when a group of 15-20 people boarded the train at Okhla and asked the four to vacate the seat, which led to an argument.
CHANDIGARH: Punjab government on Friday transferred 31 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and 19 Punjab Civil Service (PCS) officers with immediate effect.
Himmat Singh has been given the additional charge of special chief secretary, food processing. DP Reddy has been given the additional charge of additional chief secretary (ACS), cooperation. G Vajralingam has been posted as ACS, technical education and industrial training, whereas SK Sandhu is now ACS, higher education and languages, as per orders issued at night. Viswajeet Khanna is ACS, social security and development of women and children.
Roshan Sunkaria goes as principal secretary, science and technology and environment, whereas Kirpa Shankar Saroj has been posted as principal secretary, general administration and coordination. Vijoy Kumar Singh has been given the additional charge of principal secretary, irrigation. Anurag Verma is now secretary, rural development and panchayats, whereas Rakesh Kumar Verma has been posted as secretary, industries and commerce. JM Balamurugan has been posted as secretary, sports and youth services, with additional charge of secretary, personnel. Jaspreet Talwar is now secretary, water supply and sanitation. Krishan Kumar is the new secretary, school education, and in addition secretary, employment generation and training. Kahan Singh Pannu has been posted as secretary, revenue.