Gau rakshaks thrash five in Faridabad

Suspected cow vigilantes or gau rakshaks thrashed five people in Faridabad on Friday morning, after accusing them of transporting cow meat. Police said they were yet to identify the accused.

A police officer said a laboratory test later established that the meat concerned was of buffalo and not cow. Nearly 15-20 unknown persons have been booked in this regard, he added. The assault comes just a month after the Supreme Court delivered a message against cow vigilantism and told the states to crack down on such miscreants.

The victims were identified as brothers Isaan Mohammad and Shahzad, along with Shakeel, Sonu, and Azaad Mohammad, all residents of Faridabad. The incident took place in the morning, when auto driver Azad was on his way to deliver the meat to a shop. He was accompanied by an employee of the meat supplier, Sonu, and three others.

The victims told the police that six men travelling in a car stopped them and accused them of transporting beef. Azad further said that he tried to explain the situation but the men took them to the nearby Basadi village, where more than 40 others joined in. The mob then started thrashing the victims.They were also told to raise slogans such as 'Gau Mata Ki Kai' and 'Hanuman Ki Jai'.

The Faridabad Police have registered an FIR against the victims under the Haryana Gauvansh and Gausamvardhan Act of 2015. They have also registered a case under Sections 148, 149, 323, 341, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at the Mujesar police station against 15-20 unknown persons.