3 weeks ago
Cow vigilantes attack police-seized cattle carriers in Ramban; FIR filed
A man in India was taking some cows and buffaloes that the police had seized to another place.
On the way, a big group of people with sticks stopped him and his four helpers.
The group said the man was smuggling the animals, even though he showed them papers from the police.
They did not listen when he asked them to call a police officer.
The group hurt the men with sticks and took away two mobile phones.
One young man, Gafoor, was hurt badly and had to go to the hospital.
Local people took the victims to get help.
Later, the man went to the police station and complained.
Police are now looking for 17 people who were part of the attack.
A few months before, another man died running away from a similar group.
Many people are worried and want the police to take strong action.
Cow vigilantes allegedly attacked Shakeel Ahmad and four workers carrying police-seized bovine animals on a hilly track in Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir, on August 4.
The group, armed with sticks, encircled the men at Bilawat village around 8 pm, accusing them of bovine smuggling despite police-issued documents.
Gafoor (20) suffered serious injuries and is hospitalised, while Altaf and Ishtiyaq were also beaten and two mobile phones were snatched.
Police registered an FIR against 17 persons, allegedly led by Surjeet and his brother Tilak Raj, under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections covering rioting, wrongful restraint and criminal intimidation.
This is the second reported cow vigilante attack in Ramban in five months, after Tanveer Ahmad Chopan died in April while fleeing alleged attackers in Ramsoo.
- Who
- Shakeel Ahmad and four workers transporting 23 police-seized bovine animals; attackers were cow vigilantes allegedly led by Surjeet and Tilak Raj.
- What
- The vigilante group, armed with sticks, attacked the men, injured several of them, snatched phones and accused them of bovine smuggling; an FIR was registered against 17 persons.
- Where
- Bilawat village, a remote area in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir.
- When
- August 4, around 8 pm; officials reported the attack on August 8.
- Why
- The vigilantes accused the group of bovine smuggling and refused to verify their police documents.
Victims' account
Cow vigilantes' claim
Legitimacy of the cattle transport
Victims' account
Ahmad said the animals were handed to him by police and he showed the group police-issued documents, pleading with them to verify the details with the concerned officer.
Cow vigilantes' claim
The vigilante group accused the men of bovine smuggling and refused to listen to their explanations.
Demand for accountability
Victims' account
Victims demand stern action against the accused, justice for the injured and measures to restore people's confidence in the system; police have registered an FIR against 17 persons.
Cow vigilantes' claim
The attackers apparently acted to stop what they believed was illegal bovine trading, and no statement from the accused has been reported as they remain at large.
Key facts
- District
- Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir
- Date of attack
- August 4, around 8 pm
- Complainant
- Shakeel Ahmad, resident of Maitra village, Ramban town
- Animals in transit
- 23 police-seized bovine animals handed over at Kariya Post
- Injured
- Gafoor (20) seriously injured; Altaf and Ishtiyaq also beaten
- Accused
- 17 persons, allegedly led by Surjeet and his brother Tilak Raj
- Legal sections
- 126(2), 115(2), 307, 352, 351(2), 351(3), 191(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
- Earlier incident
- Tanveer Ahmad Chopan died on April 12 while fleeing alleged attackers in Ramsoo; four persons arrested
Quotes
Shakeel Ahmad
Resident of Maitra village, lead victim of the attack
“"On August 4, I was taking them on foot through a hilly track along with four workers when a large group of cow vigilantes, armed with sticks, encircled and attacked us at Bilawat village around 8 pm, accusing us of bovine smuggling."”
theprint.in
Sources
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