Mob assaults activists, TV crew during cattle rescue op

An animal welfare officer and a TV crew were allegedly assaulted by a mob of cattle traders when they went to raid an illegal slaughterhouse at Kodipalaya village in Ramanagaram on August 7.

Animal activists Joshine Antony and India Today television news crew were at the spot along with two policemen when the incident happened.

Animal welfare officials received information that a large number of calves was being slaughtered illegally at the villages of Kodipalaya and S K Laya in Ramanagara.

Activists and the TV crew found that the cattle traders had hidden the calves at a nearby mango grove with their mouths and legs tied up.

A mob roughed them up when the activists tried to rescue the animals with police help. Police later called up additional reinforcement and successfully rescued around 71 calves. Given the tense situation, the team did not head to SK Laya village, Joshine told DH. Animal welfare officials then headed to the Kudur police station where they lodged an assault complaint.

Meanwhile, animal rights activists who rushed to Padarayanapura to rescue two camels and 100 cattle from a godown were greeted by a mob of cattle traders, who followed them for a distance as they rescued the two camels with police help. Activists said the cattle could not be saved.

A canter vehicle carrying cows to illegal slaughterhouses in Bengaluru tried to run over an animal welfare officer when he tried stopping the vehicle at Sadashivanagar traffic signal on August 7.

The officer received information that the canter was heading into the city via Sadashivanagar at 515 am on Tuesday. When he tried stopping the vehicle, the driver attempted to mow him down by speeding on. The officer rushed to the Sadashivanagar police and lodged a complaint.