Lynch Mob virus takes its toll: 10 die

While some of the victims were charred to death,others died of suffocation.

Police said Deena Nath (45) was killed by his rival Dwarika Dubey and his three relatives — Ayodhya Dubey,Krishna Kumar and Dhirendra Kumar. Those who died in today’s mob attack have been identified as members of Dwarika Dubey’s extended family.

The police have arrested Dwarika Dubey,his relatives as well as 40 villagers for setting ablaze to the house.

The administration,meanwhile,suspended Inspector B K Singh,in-charge of Thoothibari police station,for negligence and failure to assess the situation. “The situation is now under control,” said Special Director General (Law & Order) Brij Lal.

According to the police,Deena Nath was a popular pradhan but was locked in a court battle with Dwarika Dubey for the last two decades over a land dispute.

“Today morning,Deena Nath had an altercation with Dwarika and his relatives at a tea shop near to his house. During the heated exchanges,one of them pulled out a countrymade pistol and shot at Deena Nath. An injured Nath ran towards his house but the accused chased him and shot him again. To ensure that he is dead, Nath was attacked with an axe and sticks,” said Sageer Ahmed,one of the villagers.

The police later reached the village and arrested the four assailants. But soon after they left the village,a group of villagers attacked Dwarika’s house. First they stoned the house and then set it on fire. When the police arrived,the mob had surrounded the house and was not letting anyone to come out.

The police managed to rescue two children. Nine family members of Dwarika who died have been identified as Adya Dubey,Munna,his wife Amita,Sachida Nand,his wife Indrawati and four children.