A week after Akhlaq's murder, situation remains tense in Dadri, his family not keen on returning to village

Dadri: A week after 50-year-old Mohammad Akhlaq was lynched over rumours that his family was consuming beef, the situation in Bishada village of Dadri in Uttar Pradesh continues to remain tense. Sources said that Akhlaq's family does not intend to return to their village for now and are staying at the Uttar Pradesh government's state guest house.

The family has also received an offer from the Indian Air Force to move into a nearby air base. "We are extending all possible help to Sartaj and his family. If there is need we will bring his family to Air Force area but its up to Sartaj to decide," said IAF chief Arup Raha.

Mohammad Sartaj Works as a technician with the Indian Air Force.

An FIR has also been lodged against the fringe group Hindu Raksha Dal for violating prohibitory orders and holding a panchayat inside the village.

Adding fuel to fire, Muzaffarnagar riots accused and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sangeet Som has said that the UP government is protecting cow slaughterers. "I have met both the family. There is enough proof which proves that cow was slaughtered. Azam khan is mentally unstable and Mohammad Owaisi is his agent," said Som.

With politicians not missing any chance to hit out at the other over the incident, the Samajwadi Party said the Dadri incident was orchestrated by the BJP with an eye on the Bihar polls. "We have information that something big was being planned. They want to use this issue in Bihar elections as well," said UP minister Azam Khan.

Assuring justice to the victim's family, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has warned of action against those inciting communal violence in Dadri. In an interview to Economic Times, he said, "We have a video recording of all comments being made by various people in Dadri. If anyone is found to be inflaming communal tensions, my government will take the strictest action possible under law."

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying his silence on the issue has send the message that he condones the killing. "The BJP is carrying out a deliberate strategy to communally polarise the country," said Tharoor.

Akhlaq was beaten to death by a mob on Monday night after a public announcement from the local temple that a calf had been slaughtered and his family had eaten beef.

His 22-year-old son Danish who was also attacked is battling for life at a hospital following two brain surgeries. The incident has sparked outrage in the country, with parties attacking the BJP alleging that the killing was a result of its "politics of hatred".