Image: The Quint
The Instagram account @teamMonuManesar proudly welcomed their Gau Raksha Dal leader back into the foray of cow vigilantism a few days ago. Monu Manesar was a suspect in the killings of Junaid and Nasir from Rajasthan whose charred bodies were found in a burnt vehicle in Haryana on February 16. Junaid and Nasir were killed on suspicion of cow slaughter.
He was touted to be the main accused who orchestrated the murders. However, soon after the news of the murders broke out, Manesar was absconding and remained in hiding for a while on March 27 he made a comeback on social media. He is back to doing what he is known for, criminal intimidation and assault of truck drivers who are found transporting cattle in the state. His name was also dropped from the list of suspects in the Junaid-Nasir murder case.
On Saturday, Rajasthan police arrested two more accused in the case namely, Monu Rana and Monu alia Gogi. Notices have also been issued to Haryana Gauraksha Dal’s Vice President and some co-workers for being involved in this crime.
Before Manesar officially made a comeback, the page was posting content in support of Manesar akin to the Maha panchayats that were held in small villages of Haryana, where the Rajasthan police were threatened by Gauraksha Dal members against entering Manesar’s house or questioning his family. Many videos were uploaded to support him, with captions like “Sanatanis are proud of Monu Manesar” and so on.
From March 27, his videos have started appearing on this account again, so it appears he has surfaced out of hiding.
On April 6, this video was posted with a voiceover, where Manesar was seen in the frame with some other men, threatening that he is back and the camera was also focused on a rifle kept on a table in front of him.
Another video was posted last week, showing how the Gaurakshaks had caught an alleged cow smuggler and a picture of the man, bruised on his face was also displayed, along with their infamous motto “Jab tab todenge nahi tab tak chhodenge nahi (We will not spare you until we break your bones)”.
Related:
Cow vigilantism continues with impunity in northern states of India
The threat and lawlessness of “Gau-Rakshaks” in North India
Curb on internet, SMS in Nuh as protests demanding justice for Junaid-Nasir escalate
Monu Manesar not an accused in Junaid Nasir murder