The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on March 9, 2016. THE Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) strongly condemns the murder of two Muslim men in Balumath, Latehar district of Jharkhand yesterday. These young men were cattle traders and were on their way to a market with a herd of buffaloes when they were beaten up and hanged to death from a tree by so-called cow protection vigilantes. This incident happening within 100 kms of the state capital of Ranchi is reminiscent of the Dadri lynching not long ago. It is reported that it is not the first time that Muslim cattle traders in the area have been targeted. Despite protests by the local people, the police and the BJP state government have failed in protecting the minorities engaged in this trade. This horrible incident is a result of the sustained communal campaign conducted by the Hindutva outfits. The Jharkhand police must immediately arrest the culprits and bring them to book. The BJP government in Jharkhand is duty bound to crack down against all those indulging in such criminal activities and also ensure protection of the minorities.