The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday met with the grieving family of a man allegedly killed by cow vigilantes in Odisha’s Balasore district and called for stringent action against the perpetrators.
The victim, 35-year-old Sk Makandar Mahammad from Astia village, was working as a helper on a cattle-transporting pickup van when the vehicle was intercepted by vigilantes on the morning of January 14.
According to police reports, Mahammad was subsequently beaten to death by the group. Police have arrested three persons in connection with the case, while some of the accused are still at large.
A BJD delegation, headed by MP Sulata Deo, visited the victim’s residence to offer condolences and promised comprehensive support in their pursuit of justice.
Following the visit to the victim’s family, the delegation met with DIG (Eastern Range) Pinak Mishra to submit a formal memorandum, seeking stringent action and investigation into the killing.
ବାଲେଶ୍ୱରରେ ସଂଖ୍ୟାଲଘୁ ସଂପ୍ରଦାୟର ଯୁବକ ଶେଖ ମକନ୍ଦାର ମହମ୍ମଦଙ୍କ ନିର୍ମମ ଜନସମୂହ ହତ୍ୟା ଘଟଣା ନିନ୍ଦନୀୟ।
ରେମୁଣା ଅଞ୍ଚଳରେ ଘଟିଥିବା ଏହି ନିର୍ମମ ହତ୍ୟାକାଣ୍ଡର ଦୋଷୀଙ୍କ ବିରୋଧରେ ଦୃଢ଼ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟାନୁଷ୍ଠାନ ନେଇ ପୂର୍ବାଞ୍ଚଳ ଡିଆଇଜିଙ୍କୁ ଭେଟି ଦାବି ଜଣାଇଲେ ବିଜୁ ଜନତା ଦଳର ପ୍ରତିନିଧିମଣ୍ଡଳୀ।#BJDWithOdisha #BJD4Odisha pic.twitter.com/v5KlPDJj1e
— Biju Janata Dal (@bjd_odisha) January 20, 2026
“The BJD demands the immediate arrest of all culprits involved in the heinous lynching of Sheikh Makandar Mohammad,” the memorandum read.
The memorandum further asserted that such acts of mob violence are a direct assault on the constitutional principles of justice, equality, and communal harmony.
It warned that such incidents could foster a climate of fear and insecurity, particularly in Balasore, a region that has experienced communal sensitivities previously.
BJD’s senior vice-president, Sanjay Das Burma, said Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik has directed party leaders to ensure justice for the victim.
State Congress president Bhakta Charan Das also hit out at the BJP-led government, alleging a failure to protect the safety and rights of minorities, women, tribals, and Dalits.
