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In Bihar's Champaran, news of a Muslim man being forced to chant 'Jai Shri Ram' has emerged. Mohammad Israil from Mehsi has alleged that not only did some people compel him to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’, but also tried to slit his throat.
Taking cognisance of the matter, the police has filed an FIR against six people. Israil is currently hospitalised and is being treated for his injuries.
Narrating the incident, he said that due to heavy rainfall in his village, there was no electricity, which is why he had gone to his friend’s house to charge his mobile phone.
The Quint spoke to the station in-charge of Meshi, Avnish Kumar, who said, "This incident took place on 2 June. When we received the complaint, the FIR was filed. Investigation is on."
Israel's brother, Tahir, also confirmed to The Quint that he got a severe injury on his head, which is why he is not able to talk as much.
Tahir said, “When the attackers thought that Israel had died, they ran away. Israil was then lodged in a government hospital in Mehsi. Because he was found in critical condition, he was referred to Muzaffarpur.”
The six people that Israel has identified are Ram Gopal, Rahul Banarwal, Lakhan, Prince, Abhishek and Nitesh Singh. They have been said to belong to a nearby village called Bathna. Although, no one has been arrested in the case so far.
One of the accused, Veer Prince, who is named in the FIR, told The Quint, "We are being wrongly accused. We were somewhere else when the incident took place. The issue is deliberately being given a communal spin.”
He added, "He used to speed on his motorcycle in this locality, we don't know who beat him up."
When The Quint asked the Prince if the accused belong to any group, he said they are associated with Bajrang Dal.
Golu Khilani, who claims to be the president of Bajrang Dal of Chakiya subdivision, Mehsi, said that because the accused are associated with Bajrang Dal, they are being framed.
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