Fact-finding report says Muslim man’s killing was part of collective violence
Inquiry into Hooghly killing found climate of fear, witness intimidation, repeated threats against victim's family after state election unrest
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — A fact-finding report by a civil rights organization has concluded that the killing of a 71-year-old Muslim man in India’s eastern state of West Bengal was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of violence that followed the state’s recent assembly elections, leaving residents too frightened to speak openly.
The report, released earlier this week by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), examined the killing of Sk. Shahaalam, a daily-wage laborer from Kelepara village in Hooghly district.
The organization said its investigation found evidence of collective violence, intimidation and a climate of fear that had gripped the village in the aftermath of the election.
According to the report, Shahaalam was the sole earning member of his family when a group of men allegedly dragged him from his home and assaulted him with bamboo sticks, wooden objects, bricks and stones.
His family said women who tried to intervene were threatened and prevented from rescuing him. He was taken to a government hospital in Arambagh, where he later died from his injuries.
Family members have alleged that the attackers were supporters of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who targeted Shahaalam after accusing him of supporting the opposition All India Trinamool Congress.
The APCR report said the victim’s family had faced repeated threats, intimidation and extortion demands since the assembly election. Investigators also documented testimony from residents who described an atmosphere of fear and insecurity, with witnesses reluctant to speak publicly because they feared retaliation.
According to the report, the killing followed a series of violent incidents in the village in recent weeks. Residents told the fact-finding team that two people, including government school teacher Altaf Mullick and Sk.
Abdul Rahim suffered fractured legs in separate attacks on June 3 after allegedly being beaten with bamboo sticks and wooden objects.
The report described these incidents as part of an escalating pattern of violence that left many residents afraid to leave their homes or cooperate with investigators. It said the death of Shahaalam had deepened insecurity within the Muslim community while pushing his family into severe financial hardship after losing its only breadwinner.
According to information cited in the report, Pursurah Police Station registered a criminal case in connection with the killing and arrested six suspects. Police were reportedly continuing their investigation while searching for additional accused individuals.
APCR called on authorities to arrest the remaining suspects, complete a fair and time-bound investigation and promptly file formal charges before the court. It also urged the West Bengal government to provide compensation, security and rehabilitation assistance to Shahaalam’s family, including educational support for the family’s minor children.
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