Mob sets fire to truck carrying cows in UP, thrashes Muslim youth

Tension prevailed in Malipur area in Uttar Pradesh's Ambedkar Nagar district after locals torched a truck allegedly carried cows and assaulted a Muslim youth.

Police sources here said the truck was on its way to the neighbouring Sultanpur district on Wednesday morning, when it collided with a tractor-trolley near Salahpur village.

Violence
The crowd that gathered at the spot turned violent after allegedly recovering cows and other animals tied together. They rescued the animals and set the truck ablaze, burning it down completely before fire tenders could reach the spot.

Reports said a dead cow found in the herd turned the locals violent.

While the truck’s driver and cleaner fled the scene, the mob caught and allegedly beat up a youth identified as Tabrez, said to be a resident of Phulpur locality in Azamgarh district.
A police team that reached the spot later rescued the youth. Sources said he was admitted to the hospital with severe injuries.

Police action
The police sources say it is not clear if the animals were taken for slaughter.

“We are investigating the matter....it seems to be a case of theft of the animals but nothing can be ruled out,” a district police official in Ambedkar Nagar said.

The incident triggered tension in the area, sources said, adding that security personnel have been deployed as a precaution.

The district is considered communally sensitive.