Probe ordered into killing of a "North Indian" in Maharashtra

Sangli / Badlapur (Maharashtra)/Khalilabad (UP), Oct 30 (ANI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister RR Patil has said that a probe has been ordered into the lynching of a North Indian migrant youth by miscreants on a local train in Maharashtra.

Patil also declared a compensation of Rupees 200,000 for the victim's family.

"The family of Dharamdev Rai will receive a compensation of Rs 200,000 soon from the Maharashtra administration. A case under 302 has been registered against those who killed him. The investigation has already started," said Patil.

Dharamdev Rai from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh was beaten to death on a train in Badlapur in Maharashtra, after the miscreants identified him as a "North Indian".

Rai, 25, and his three friends were attacked by eight-ten people when they were on their way to Kurla. One of them claimed that they were attacked by a group of Marathi-speaking youths who abused them for taking up jobs in Mumbai.

"This is a conspiracy of the Maharashtra Government. I request the Maharashtra Government to take strict action against the culprits who killed my innocent brother," said Brahmadev Rai, victim's brother.

Following the incident, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad threatened to suspend rail movement to states where rail passengers and properties are repeatedly attacked.

He also announced a compensation of Rs.300,000 for the family of the youth beaten to death.

The tragic incident comes after a youth from Bihar Rahul Raj was gunned down by the Mumbai Police on Monday after he had allegedly hijacked a bus at Kurla saying he wanted revenge against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.

On October 19, MNS activists had attacked north Indian railway job aspirants in Mumbai prompting calls for Thackeray's arrest and for the party to be banned.Thackeray was arrested on October 21 for rioting and provoking attacks on migrants. His arrest sparked protests in Maharashtra and a backlash on migrants across the country. However, on October 22, Thackeray was given bail in Mumbai after spending a night in jail. (ANI)