Hisar: A 22-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death by a group of 10 to 15 men over a monetary dispute involving Rs 500-1,000 in Chhatrian village of Sirsa district on Sunday. The victim, Ashok Kumar, succumbed to multiple injuries while undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital. His body has been kept in the hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination.According to family members, Ashok was returning from the fields with his elder brother Mukesh and an uncle after collecting fodder when the accused, allegedly led by villager Sahab Ram, intercepted them. The family alleged that the attackers arrived in tractor, motorcycles, and a car. Armed with wooden sticks and iron pipes, they chased the trio. While Mukesh and his uncle managed to escape, Ashok was caught and brutally assaulted.Relatives claimed Ashok remained conscious for some time and told them that the assailants instructed one another not to strike his head but to repeatedly target his arms, legs and back “so that he would not survive”. They alleged that his body bore deep injury marks everywhere except on the head.The family alleged that the accused had been threatening Ashok for months despite a village panchayat having settled the dispute last year. The disagreement reportedly arose after Sahab Ram accused Ashok and his brother of making away with Rs 500 from his field. Though the matter was resolved through community intervention, the victim’s relatives alleged that threats continued.The bereaved family has demanded the immediate arrest of all those involved, alleging the assault was pre-planned. They warned that they would not cremate the body and launch a protest if prompt action was not taken.Police have initiated proceedings and are recording statements of the victim’s family. Further investigation is underway, cops said.MSID:: 132368297 413 |
