24 men transporting cattle to an animal fair were reportedly beaten up by self-proclaimed ‘cow vigilantes’ in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa district on Sunday, July 7.
In a video of the incident, a number of the victims can be seen tied-up and made to kneel on the side of the road in broad daylight, as the attackers abuse them and force them to say ‘Gau mata ki jai’.
#WATCH Several people tied with a rope and made to chant "Gau mata ki jai" in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh on accusation of carrying cattle in their vehicles. (7.7.19) (Note – Abusive language) pic.twitter.com/5pbRZ4hNsR
— ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2019
The victims hail from Khandwa, Sehore, Dewas and Harda districts, and include six Muslims.
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Per a PTI report, there were 100 people in the mob of ‘cow vigilantes’ that attacked the men at Savalikeda village. The victims were also paraded through the streets all the way to Khalwa police station, around 3 kilometres from the village.
“With none of the 24 men possessing valid documents to prove their claims and also transporting the cattle in vehicles in consonance with relevant guidelines, they were arrested and booked under provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Govansh Vadh Pratishedh Adhiniyam and provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,” district police superintendent Shivdayal Singh said, reported NDTV.
No action has been taken against the attackers.
Also Read: Viral Video: Five Arrested For Cow Vigilantism in Madhya Pradesh