Dadri lynching: Won’t leave village, says Ikhlaq’s brother

“We want to live like before,” Dadri lynching victim Mohammad Ikhlaq’s eldest brother said on Thursday, stressing that the family has no plan to permanently shift out of Bisada village although it may move out for “2-4 months” if required.

“We want to live like before,” Dadri lynching victim Mohammad Ikhlaq’s eldest brother said on Thursday, stressing that the family has no plan to permanently shift out of Bisada village although it may move out for “2-4 months” if required.

Ikhlaq's eldest brother Jameel Ahmed at his residence at Bisada in Dadri on Thursday. (PTI Photo)

Gautam Buddh Nagar district magistrate Nagendra Prasad Singh also said that the family will continue to be in Bisada where it is getting round the clock police protection.

“As you can see, our family members have not shifted anywhere and do not intend to do so either. We are very much in Bisada,” Ikhlaq’s brother Jamil told PTI at his residence, which is adjoining Ikhlaq’s home.

Jamil said that they will never leave Bisada permanently where 5 generations of his family have stayed.

“If needed, we may go somewhere for 2-4 months but who knows of the future,” he said. On report that Ikhlaq’s son Sartaj had moved the family to Delhi, Jamil said, “He (Sartaj) is saying certain things out of concern but that does not mean he will go beyond my words”.

The DM said that the family has not shared any plans with him regarding moving out immediately, although “Sartaj is concerned about their safety”. Ikhlaq was lynched to death in Bisada on September 28 over rumours of eating beef, triggering nation-wide outrage.

Akhlaq’s younger son Danish, 22, was critically wounded in the attack and is undergoing treatment at a Noida hospital.

Jamil, visibly irritated over constant media scrutiny, said that more than anything else, bringing the culprits to justice was of paramount importance. “We are tired of saying the same thing over and over again, but media still runs unverified news.

For us getting justice is the only objective and only administration and court can ensure that,” Jamil said. He said members of the family, specially Ikhlaq’s daughter and mother were finding it difficult to lead a normal life after the incident.

“She (Ikhlaq’s mother) is not in a condition to speak any more. What can a person say when her son was beaten to death before her eyes,” he said.