Brutal murder of two minors in Surat over Instagram post dispute

A dispute over a social media post in Surat has taken a bloody turn. Following a verbal spat over posting a video on Instagram, a violent fight broke out between some minor boys, in which 3 minors together killed 2 other minors. This incident took place on Sunday night in the Nanpura area of Surat.

According to a BBC Gujarati report, this entire matter is related to an Instagram group named 'Salman Khan'. A dispute arose among the members of this group over posting some horse-riding videos. This dispute escalated to such an extent that ultimately two teenagers had to lose their lives. Police investigation has revealed that the attackers and the deceased knew each other beforehand and were members of the same Instagram group.

Giving details of this incident to the media, Surat ACP (G Division) V. R. Malhotra stated that the murder of two minors took place near the Fatima Cemetery around quarter to twelve on Sunday night. In this matter, the police have registered a complaint by Sabir Faiz Mohammad, the father of one of the deceased. The police thoroughly examined the surrounding CCTV footage and apprehended the teenagers suspected of murder.

Clarifying the root cause of the incident, ACP Malhotra stated that a group named 'Salman Khan' was created on Instagram. Someone posted two-three videos in this group, to which the accused teenagers objected. A verbal argument ensued between both parties regarding this matter. Thereafter, on Sunday night, both groups gathered near the Fatima Cemetery to settle this dispute. A fight broke out again among these teenagers who had gathered under the pretext of a settlement. Meanwhile, accusing the deceased minors of instigating other teenagers, the accused attacked them with sharp weapons.

Relatives of the deceased minors have provided different details regarding this incident. Mohammad Sabir Faiz Mohammad Shaikh, the father of one of the deceased minors, stated that a dispute occurred among the boys over social media posts and games. He further stated that both the deceased worked at a chicken shop. The father of one of these boys is currently in jail and his mother has also passed away. Sabir Shaikh himself earns his livelihood by painting auto-rickshaws and has two sons aged 16 and 18 years.

According to Sabir Shaikh, when he came home on Sunday night, his younger son was not at home. Neighbors had informed him that three boys had attacked his son and he had been taken to the Civil Hospital. When he reached the hospital, he learned that his 16-year-old son had passed away. Talking to his son's friends, he came to know that due to a fight in the Instagram 'Salman Khan Group', his son had received death threats.

It is also mentioned in the police complaint that the boy was called to meet at a specific place at night through an Instagram chat and was subsequently phoned and asked to come near the Fatima Cemetery. As soon as he reached there, other minors launched a fatal attack on him. However, ACP Malhotra has clarified that preliminary investigation has not found evidence of a fight over games, but the Instagram chat indicates a dispute over posting content.

Athwalines Police Station Police Inspector P. H. Bhatti informed that since both accused are minors, they will be presented in the Juvenile Court today. According to the police, arguments broke out among the teenagers gathered for settlement, in which one deceased slapped the accused, as a retaliatory reaction to which the accused attacked with a sharp weapon.

This violent incident has sparked a debate on social media and relationships among teenagers. Ahmedabad-based psychiatrist Dr. Dhruv Thakker, talking to BBC Gujarati, stated that children still have a lower ability to understand the difference between right and wrong, due to which they imitate wrong things. Referring to films, he said that films portray the hero winning by committing violence, which glorifies violence and creates an impression in children's minds that violence is necessary to establish power.

Dr. Thakker further added that how children are brought up is also important. Due to bad company and lack of attention from parents, children may turn towards violence. The personality of some children may be 'anti-social' to begin with, who have a desire to post such things and exert influence over others to gain likes or followers on social media. Through social media, people with such thoughts easily find each other, which proves helpful in forming groups for criminal activities.