Brahmeshwar Singh
Brahmeshwar Singh Mukhiyaji | |
|---|---|
| Born | Brahmeshwar Singh 1947 |
| Died | 1 June 2012 (aged 64 or 65) |
| Cause of death | Murder |
| Resting place | Arrah |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Organization | Ranvir Sena |
| Criminal charge | Carnage[1][2] |
| Criminal status | Acquitted in 2012 |
Brahmeshwar Singh (1947[3]– 1 June 2012) also known as Mukhiyaji or Brahmeshwar Thakur, was head of the upper-caste Ranvir Sena militia in Bihar, India. He was also known as the Butcher of Bihar for alleged involvement of killing of dalits in Bihar.[4] On 1 June 2012, he was killed by unidentified gunmen.[5]
Ranvir Sena, arrest, and acquittal
Brahmeshwar Singh Mukhiya hails from Bhumihar family and became the leader of the Ranvir Sena soon after it was formed in 1994.[1] Singh was suspected of being involved in the killings of hundreds of Dalits.[1] In 2002, Singh was arrested on "carnage" charges, for which he faced the possibility of life imprisonment.[1] He spent nine years in jail awaiting trial and was released on bail and then later acquitted for insufficient evidence.[1]
Politics
On 5 May 2012, Singh founded the Akhil Bharatiya Rashtravadi Kisan Sangathan, an organization that Singh said would assist farmers and other manual labourers.[4][6]
Death
On 1 June 2012, Singh was on a morning walk near his home in Arrah, Bihar. Reportedly, around six armed men shot Singh several times. The killing resulted in public unrest and severe rioting. Several thousand people burnt the circuit house, Block Development Officer's office, and several government vehicles; damaged railway offices; and stopped the trains on the Howrah-Delhi route.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d e Magnier, Mark (2 June 2012). "India upper-caste militia leader Brahmeshwar Singh slain". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ^ "All about Mukhiya". Zee News. Retrieved 2 Jun 2012.
- ^ "Arrested Ranvir Sena chief refuses to talk". The Times of India. 31 August 2002. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ^ a b "'Leader of Farmer of Bihar' on a new mission to champion farmers". Daily Mail. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
- ^ a b Chaudhary, Pranava K.; Agrawal, Rajiv Nayan (2 June 2012). "Brahmeshwar Singh's murder: Bihar braces for retaliatory killings". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 Jun 2012.
- ^ "Tillers' outfit". The Telegraph (Calcutta). 5 May 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2012.