Violence in Mathura after cow vigilante run over by truck; supporters block highway, vandalise police cars

Large scale violence erupted in Mathura after a cow vigilante, known as ‘Farsa Baba’, was allegedly run over by a speeding truck on Saturday while he was inspecting vehicles after receiving information that cows were being smuggled in them.

The incident happened near Navipur in the district in the wee hours, police sources here said.

The Baba, identified as Chandrashekhar, who operated a ‘gaushala’ (cow shelter), was knocked down by a truck while he was checking a container. The truck hit the container from behind and the ‘Baba’ was killed in the accident. The truck driver, who also sustained serious injuries, died at a hospital in Agra later.

Alleging that the Baba was intentionally killed by the cow smugglers, thousands of people assembled on the Agra-Delhi Highway blocking traffic in protest against the incident, sources said.

The angry mob ransacked police vehicles and indulged in heavy stone pelting in which several police personnel were injured. The police made a lathi charge and used rubber bullets to disperse the mob.

The situation was brought to normal after several hours when additional security personnel were rushed to the spot. Sources said that dozens of people were arrested on charges of indulging in violence.

A senior district official said in Mathura that the container did not have cows and was filled with soaps and shampoos.

Sources said that ‘Farsa Baba’ was quite popular in the area and he had also formed a ‘go rakshak dal’ (cow protector group) comprising over 200 members. He was called ‘Farsa Baba’ as he always carried a ‘farsa’ (an axe-like object) with him.