A 50-year-old Muslim cloth vendor, Mohammad Athar Hussain, died at Bihar Sharif Sadar Hospital days after a brutal mob attack in the Roh police station area of Nawada district. The assault has sparked outrage as the family alleged the violence stemmed from hatred based on religious identity.
Hussain was attacked on Dec. 5 while returning from Dumri village. About 7 men stopped him, questioned his identity, robbed him, and dragged him into a room. The attackers tied him up and assaulted him with rods, bricks, and sticks.
In a video recorded during treatment, Hussain said the mob forced him to reveal his religion. He alleged the attackers crushed his fingers, feet, and ears with pliers, trampled his chest, and poured petrol on him in an attempt to burn him. He added police intervened after someone alerted authorities.
Hussain, originally from Nalanda district, lived in Nawada for nearly two decades and supported his family through cloth vending. His wife Shabnam Praveen filed a police complaint and said authorities earlier registered a separate case against her husband on the day of the attack, which she viewed as an attempt to divert attention.
Police have arrested eightaccused and searches continue for others involved. The family has demanded swift justice, asserting the attack was driven by Islamophobia.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Bihar has sought urgent legal action and compensation in the case.