JALPAIGURI -- Two persons were allegedly lynched by a mob, which dragged them out of a pick-up van carrying cows, at Barhoria village in Jalpaiguri district on Sunday, the police said.
Anwar Hussain (19) and Hafizul Sheikh (19) were beaten to death by the mob, which intercepted their vehicle and pulled them out of it in the early hours, the police said, adding that the pick-up van was also badly damaged by the mob.
Police took Hussain and Sheikh to the Dhupguri hospital where they were declared brought dead. The police also took charge of the animals in the vehicle. A large contingent of police was deployed in the area.
The victims were identified as Hafizul Sheikh, a resident of Dhubri, Assam, and Anwar Hussain, a resident of Patlahawa village in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal.
This the second case of cow-related lynching in West Bengal in the last two months after three Muslim youth were beaten to death in June.
Tamil Nadu Farmers Protest In Delhi
(01 of17)
Open Image Modal (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(02 of17)
Open Image ModalTamil Nadu farmer pretending to eat grass during a protest at Jantar Mantar. (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(03 of17)
Open Image ModalTamil Nadu farmer pretending to eat grass during a protest at Jantar Mantar. (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(04 of17)
Open Image ModalFarmers from Tamil Nadu have been protesting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for almost four weeks now, demanding the waiver of their loans. (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(05 of17)
Open Image ModalOver three lakh farmers have committed suicide in India since 1995. These suicides have largely been attributed to debt, drought, crop failure or poor returns. (credit:Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
(06 of17)
Open Image ModalThe farmers have been using symbolic props such as ropes tied as noose, begging bowls during the protest. (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(07 of17)
Open Image Modal (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(08 of17)
Open Image ModalMany of the farmers shaved half of their heads as a sign of protest. (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(09 of17)
Open Image ModalThe skull they used during the protest reportedly symbolised the deaths of their fellow farmers who died apparently due to severe drought in the state. (credit:The India Today Group via Getty Images)
(10 of17)
Open Image ModalThey used ropes to 'hang' themselves in front of the national media. (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
(11 of17)
Open Image ModalMany of the farmers also performed their own symbolic 'cremations', reiterating the fact that if the situation in the state continued, they'd have no choice but to die. (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(12 of17)
Open Image ModalThey even held live mice in their mouths to demonstrate that they will have to feed on them if the government fails to declare drought relief packages and waiver loans for the farmers in Tamil Nadu. (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(13 of17)
Open Image Modal (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(14 of17)
Open Image ModalThe farmers even enacted eating a snake as a form of protest. (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(15 of17)
Open Image Modal (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
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Open Image Modal (credit:Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
(17 of17)
Open Image ModalOn 14 April, farmers were seen cross-dressed as women during a month long protest at Jantar Mantar. (credit:Barcroft Media via Getty Images)