Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – The murder of Junaid and Nasir in Haryana’s Bhiwani was planned by cow vigilantes eight days before the gruesome incident took place in February this year, the revelation came after the questioning of prime accused Monu Manesar by Rajasthan police.
Haryana Police had arrested Monu Manesar alias Mohit Yadav on Tuesday for “objectionable” social media posts, and subsequently handed him over to the Rajasthan Police where he is being questioned in connection with the murders of Nasir and Junaid. The notorious cow protector is being interrogated by Deeg police in Rajasthan.
According to a Hindi daily, Monu revealed during the police investigation that the gang had decided to “teach a lesson” to Nasir and Junaid, the two Muslim men who were kidnapped and mercilessly beaten by the cow vigilantes before they were burnt to death on 16 February.
The investigation revealed that the gang had meticulously prepared the entire plan as to how, where and when to abduct them. The modus operandi involved the sharing of details of people they suspect of cow smuggling. One of the culprits had shared the vehicle number, mobile number and other relevant information of two victims with Monu several days before committing the crime. Then, Monu had hatched a plan to abduct Junaid and Nasir. Two days before the incident, Monu personally assessed the situation at the Rajasthan border. When the gang abducted Junaid and Nasir, they did not find any cow with them. Subsequently, the abductors communicated with Monu and subjected both victims to brutal beatings. After the victims lost consciousness, they were taken to the Firozpur Jhirka police station. However, the police there refused to take them into custody. Then, the gang burnt them alive.
After his name appeared in the murder case, Monu escaped to Bangkok, said Deeg SP Brijesh Jyoti Upadhyay. On Wednesday, he was produced before the court and sent to two-day remand by the police. He has been kept at Mathura Gate police station in the Bharatpur district for security reasons.
The police said that they have solid evidence of the conversation between Monu and Rinku Saini, another accused in the case. Saini had said that Monu was the mastermind of the killing.
According to the chargesheet filed in the court on 14 May, Monu and Rinku were in contact with them when the FIR was filed against them. The FIR was subsequently forwarded to Monu, along with an abusive word.
Family members of Junaid and Nasir were surprised that the police in Rajasthan who were not taking any action against the culprits had suddenly held Monu.
Sajida, wife of Junaid, said that the arrest of Monu was not enough. All those who are involved in the killing of her husband should be arrested. The government should put a reward on the 30 accused. The case should be taken up in the fast-track court, she demanded.
However, Nasir’s widow praised Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot. She also demanded the arrest of all accused.
Meanwhile, a video has gone viral on social media showing that Monu was in contact with Anmol, the brother of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. He was considering joining his gang. He had taken the phone number of the gangster.