On May 18, four suspected cattle smugglers were thrashed by a group of cow vigilantes in Siwan district of Bihar. Two of the four men were critically injured and were referred to the Patna Medical College.

Two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed. One FIR is against the alleged cow smugglers and the other one is against the mob which thrashed the men and also a few police personnel who had come to rescue.

Cow Vigilantes Thrash ‘Cattle Smugglers’

The group of four men were carrying over 30 farm animals including cow and oxen in the truck from Uttar Pradesh’s Kaushambi to Kishanganj in Bihar. The truck was being escorted by a few people travelling in an SUV. The truck was intercepted by a group of residents near Mairwa Dham in Siwan district.

The mob then thrashed the driver Mohammed Aslam and three other occupants-Mohammad Sarwar, Moinul Haq and Vaiyalay. The cops arrived at the scene, however, the aggressive mob assaulted them as well. The assault left Sarwar and Aslam in critical condition who have now been referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital. SI Pramod Kumar also sustained minor injuries in the clash. The vigilantes managed to set free few of the cows.

Under relevant sections of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, a case has been registered against the four men. Another case has been registered against the vigilantes for an attack which also resulted in injuries to the cops. Reportedly, the cow vigilantes are currently on the run.

Similar Incidents

On May 2, a 50-year-old man was lynched in Araria district in Bihar on a suspicion of being a ‘cattle thief’. As per reports, some residents of Das Haripur village under Forbesganj Police Station which is located 300 km from Patna, found the man with a stolen cattle and allegedly thrashed them.

In the same district, in January, a 55-year-old was beaten to death by a mob of about 300 people. The videos of the attack were also recorded by the attackers were kicking and hitting the man and calling him “chor” (thief).

Also Read: Two Men Killed For Alleged Theft Of Cows, Another Blinded In One Eye For Honking At A Cow