Cow vigilante attack truck drivers ferrying cows in Rajasthan, seven arrested

Around 50 cow vigilantes on Sunday attacked five trucks in Barmer district of Rajasthan ferrying cows to Tamil Nadu on suspicions of cattle smuggling. After attacking the drivers, vigilante also blocked National Highway 15.

The officials of the Tamil Nadu Animal Husbandry Department had purchased 50 bovines from Jaisalmer and transporting them in five trucks with. Despite getting NOC and all required papers and permission from the authorities and police when the cow vigilantes attacked them. Cows were rescued and taken to a local cow shelter for the time being. Officials with Animal Husbandry of Tamil Nadu government confirmed that cattle were purchased under Rashtriya Gokul Mission, launched by the centre.

Police have also lodged a case against 50 people for voluntarily hurting public servant and deterring him from the discharge of duty. Superintendent of Police Barmer, Gagandeep Singla confirmed the arrest of seven people. He told media, "The accused pelted stones at the trucks and damaged one truck.  The accused tried to attack the government officials. They also tried to set a truck on fire but police reached the spot and prevented them. The officials, drivers and cleaners were rescued and taken to the local police station."

According to the police on Monday seven persons have been arrested for pelting the truck with stones and blocking National Highway 15 in order to stop the trucks. They include Chainaram, Kamlesh, Vikram and Jaswant. Police have also taken action taken against seven policemen, including an inspector, for reaching the spot late on Sunday night. Singla confirmed that policemen were shunted for reaching late on the spot, "As a disciplinary action, SHO Jairam, Sub Inspector Dhruv Prasad, Assistant Sub Inspector Majid and two head constables and as many head constables were shunted to police lines," Singla added.

In the span of three months, this is second such incident in which cow vigilante have brutally attacked cattle owner. In another instance, Vigilante attacked a 55-year-old cattle trader, Pehlu Khan in Alwar and four others. Pehlu Khan died, his companions were injured.