Palakkad: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Tuesday arrested two more persons in connection with the alleged mob lynching of a migrant worker at Kizhakettappallam near Walayar. As per the case, Ram Narayan Bhayar (31), a native of Karhi village in Chhattisgarh, was allegedly caught by a mob on suspicion of theft and brutally assaulted on December 17. He succumbed to his injuries at Palakkad District Hospital. According to the post-mortem report, Bhayar had sustained more than 80 injuries across his body.

The arrested persons have been identified as Vinod and Jagadish, both natives of Attappallam. With this, the total number of arrests in the case has risen to seven.

Police said the SIT probing the case has identified eight more persons allegedly involved in the incident who are currently absconding. Efforts are underway to trace and arrest them.

Officials added that additional charges would be invoked in the case, which is presently registered under Section 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act would also be added after receiving further details from the victim’s family regarding the deceased’s social status.

Meanwhile, Bhayar’s body was flown from Kochi to Raipur on Tuesday, following which arrangements were made to transport it to his native village. Officials said the state government is expected to announce compensation for the victim’s family soon.

Ram Narayan Bhayar, a labourer who had recently arrived in the Walayar area, was allegedly questioned and assaulted by a group of local residents who suspected him of theft. Though he reportedly vomited blood, none of the assailants took him to a hospital. He was later shifted to the Palakkad District Hospital by the police, where he succumbed to his injuries.

In a video of the incident that surfaced earlier, a person is heard asking Ramnarayan whether he was from Bangladesh.

CPM alleges RSS role
Meanwhile, Education Minister V Sivankutty on Tuesday alleged that Ram Narayan Bhayar was a victim of communal hatred being spread across the country by the Sangh Parivar. The CPM has alleged that those who assaulted Ramnarayan were RSS activists, a charge denied by BJP leaders.

Sivankutty claimed that Sangh Parivar links behind the crime had come to light and that the role of the Congress, which he said projects itself as a force for peace, had also been exposed.

“The state government stands with the victim’s family, and the accused have already been arrested. The government is committed to ensuring maximum punishment under the law for those responsible, irrespective of their political affiliations,” he said.