Kerala: Mob beats tribal youth to death for stealing food, CM Vijayan orders magisterial enquiry

A 27-year-old tribal man was beaten to death by a mob over allegations of theft at Kadukumanna village in Kerala’s Attappady on Friday.

Director General of Kerala Police Loknath Behera confirmed the incident to the media and said, “We have set a  Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the incident. Thrissur range IG Ajith Kumar will be leading the team. Action will be taken against police officers if found guilty for not performing their duty.”

The incident surfaced up after a video went viral on the social media. In the video one can see a man holding a stick and questioning the tribal youth, while another taking a selfie.

On learning about the attack, a police rushed to the incident site and rescued the tribal youth.

The local police said, "The victim on the way to hospital collapsed. The doctors declared him brought dead.” 

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“We have arrested two persons and detained eight in connection to the murder of the tribal man,” added police.

The deceased has been identified as Madhu.

The victim’s mother said, “My son led a nomadic life. Even if he had stolen food when hungry he should not have been murdered.”

Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the killing and said, “Civilised society can not tolerate such heinous acts.”

He also announced magisterial enquiry into the mob killing.