New Delhi: Nine months after Mohammad Akhlaq was killed by a mob over suspicions he and his family were eating beef in their home, prohibitory orders have been clamped and security stepped up in Bishada village of Uttar Pradesh (UP).

The moves come in the wake of a proposed ‘mahapanchyat’ (local village congregation) demanding the registration of a complaint against Akhlaq’s family.

The allegation that Akhlaq was eating beef seems to have been corroborated by a fresh forensic report that said the meat found in his freezer was beef. The report contradicted an earlier document which stated the sample was of mutton.

Tension prevails in Dadri district, barely 40km from New Delhi, where the residents of Bishada village have decided to hold a ‘mahapanchayat’ later tonight, which is expected to be attended by leaders of Hindu fundamentalist outfits Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vinay Katiyar has supported the demand for registration of a police complaint against Akhlaq’s family members and demanded that the compensation given to them be withdrawn.

“The forensic report has come and now the First Information Report (FIR) should be lodged against those involved in the cow slaughter. Those who have been locked up in jail should be released. The compensation should be withdrawn. The government should take back the three houses given to them,” Katiyar told Gulf News.

To prevent the call for a ‘mahapanchayat’, the police said Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) is in effect now in Dadri, which prevents large groups from gathering as a precaution against violence.

Sanjay Rana, father of Vishal Rana who is accused of killing Akhlaq, had threatened that a ‘mahapanchayat’ will be held in the village as police have failed to register an FIR against Akhlaq’s family.

“A complaint was filed with police after the forensic report said the meat in the freezer at Akhlaq’s house was beef. No FIR has been filed yet in this regard. The villagers have decided to hold a mahapanchayat as police have failed to register an FIR based on our complaint,” he said.

Meanwhile, Yusuf Khan, the lawyer for Akhlaq’s family, informed Gulf News that he was planning to challenge the lab report.

UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has also questioned the authenticity of the new report submitted by the police in court, and has stressed that what is important is punishing a mob that killed a man, irrespective of its motive.

“There was nothing objectionable in his house. Every eye is on this matter. Everyone wants that the victim’s family should get justice as murder had taken place,” Yadav said.

Last year, on September 28, a mob of people forced their way into Akhlaq’s home, beat the 56-year-old to death, and dragged his body out onto the street.