Kerala: Adivasi Man Accused Of Theft Dies After Alleged Mob Attack

A mob allegedly beat up a man, A Madhu, in Attappady forest range in Kerala’s Palakkad district after tying both his hands. He died in the police jeep on the way to Government Tribal Speciality Hospital in Kottathara.

Reports suggest that the mob accused Madhu of stealing from the local provisional store on multiple occasions. Photos and videos, which were reportedly taken just before the mob beat up Madhu, are widespread on social media. The victim belonged to the Adivasi community and was handed over to the police after his alleged perpetrators “caught” him.

The incident

A Madhu belonged to the ‘Muduga’ community in Attappady forest range, Palakkad district. Muduga tribes mainly inhabit the Attappady valley south of the Nilgiris.

He was accused of stealing from the provision store. Three cases against Madhu were already registered with the Agali Police Station. But after obtaining the CCTV footage of Madhu robbing on the evening of February 22, the mob spotted him in hills, and he was reportedly beaten up.

The mob then handed over Madhu to the police. When Madhu was being taken to the police station, he started vomiting and later collapsed. The police tried taking him to Government Tribal Speciality Hospital, but he died on the way.

It is also speculated that Madhu was mentally ill, however, the police said that no confirmation can be given on this.

Selfies and videos circulated on social media

Few photos and videos of the crime were circulated on social media. A selfie that emerged shows Madhu being questioned with his hands tied with a lungi.

After Madhu was caught by the mob, they questioned him. The video shows a man pulling out a few items from a bag that Madhu reportedly stole from the provisional store.

When The Logical Indian contacted Agali Police Station, they said, “The investigation is going on and Madhu’s body is sent to Medical College Hospital (MCH), Thrissur for postmortem.”

On being asked whether Madhu was beaten up by the mob and if anyone is being questioned in this regard, the official said, “The case is under investigation and after the postmortem results are received further action will be taken”.

Kerala government’s response

Cheif Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his shock over the incident. Two of the seven suspects have been arrested. In a Facebook post, CM assures that strict action will be taken against people who carry out such atrocities especially against the people of the marginalised community.

The Logical Indian take

Cases like these make us wonder if humans have any humanity left in them. Photos being circulated on social media, including some selfies which were reportedly taken just before Madhu was beaten up, show what we have come to. With no regard for human life, we would rather click selfies with a man being beaten than help save him. The fact that photos and videos of the incident were uploaded on social media points to our society’s depravity. Law and order seem like a joke in the country. This isn’t an isolated incident, but innocents are continually thrashed by goons who believe they are above the law. Moreover, it is astonishing that a crime this gruesome could take place in broad daylight and the police could not reach on time.

It is a sign of the times that both our lawmakers and law enforcers wake up and prevent us from heading to a point of no return.