Pune gau rakshaks attacked by Ahmednagar mob after intercepting tempo suspected of transporting cattle

Seven gau rakshaks were injured when a mob of around 50 persons attacked them in Ahmednagar district on Saturday evening, according to media reports.

The incident occurred when a tempo suspected of transporting cows for slaughter was reportedly intercepted near Shrigonda police station by the cow vigilantes.

Representational image. AFP

The gau rakshaks belong to the Pune-based group Akhil Bhartiya Krushi Gau Seva Sangh, according to Scroll. One of the members, identified as Shivshankar Rajendra Swami, said a team of 12 had come to Shrigonda taluka to lookout for vehicles illegally transporting cows to an animal market that is held in Kashti village on Saturdays, according to the report.

Mid-day reported that Police Inspector Bajirao Powar said the gau rakshaks chased a tempo carrying cows from Pune, and when the tempo was parked within the Shreegonda police's jurisdiction, the men went to the police station.

"In the evening, when the gau rakshaks stepped out, a crowd of 20-25, including those running the tempo and local butchers surrounded the workers and attacked them," the report quoted Powar as saying.

A DNA report said that the owner of the tempo, Wahid Shaikh, and driver Raju Fatrubhai Shaikh have been arrested under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act.

The Ahmednagar police said a case of attempt to murder has been registered at the Shrigonda police station, The Indian Express reported.

Ahmednagar deputy superintendent of police Sudarshan Munde said, "We have booked about 30 persons under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 395 (dacoity) and other sections of the Indian Penal Code. Seven persons were injured in the incident. Investigation has been initiated to confirm the sequence of events and arrest the assailants," The Indian Express reported.

Two cows and ten oxen were rescued, the complainant reportedly claimed.