Hindu group beats Muslim man to death in northern India

A Muslim man in northern Uttar Pradesh state was beaten to death on Tuesday by suspected members of a right-wing Hindu group for allegedly helping his neighbor elope with a Hindu girl, Indian media reported on Wednesday.

Police official Bulandshahar told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday: "We have already arrested three accused and are looking for others in the case."

At least 10 members of the Hindu Yuva Vahini, an organization set up by Uttar Pradesh state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in 2002, were involved in the attack on 59-year-old Ghulam Mohammad, according to the victim's son.

The assailants reportedly alleged that Mohammad's neighbor, 19-year-old Yusuf, had allegedly abducted a Hindu girl last week. They accused Mohammad of allegedly helping his neighbor before killing him.

The girl's parents had also lodged a complaint of kidnapping against Yusuf.

On Tuesday, the attackers took Ghulam Mohammad to a secluded place and beat him to death.

India's most populous state has witnessed increase in attacks against Muslims after Adityanath took charge as chief minister of the state in March this year.

Last month, members of the Hindu Yuva Vahini attacked a couple inside their house in Meerut town, alleging the Muslim man had forced the Hindu woman to accept Islam as her religion.