RAJ MANTRI JUSTIFIES VIGILANTISM

In yet another proof of growing cow vigilantism in Rajasthan, a 50-yearold man, Pehlu Khan, who was assaulted by vigilantes over alleged smuggling of cows, died at a hospital in Alwar district of Rajasthan early on Tuesday, following which the police launched a manhunt for the accused.

Reacting to the incident, Rajasthan home minister Gulab Chand Kataria said that it was “alright” that “gau rakshaks” caught those who were illegally transporting animals but added that “no one has the right to take the law into their hands”. This is unlawful and the police has registered a case against them, he said.

A 50-year-old man, Pehlu Khan, who was assaulted by vigilantes over alleged smuggling of cows, died at a hospital in Alwar district of Rajasthan early on Tuesday.

Rajasthan home minister Gulab Chand Kataria while stating that “no one has the right to take the law in their own hands”, also blamed the victims saying that people know cow smuggling is not allowed in Rajasthan. “There is a law against it and we have set up posts. Still they do it and sometimes manage to escape,” he said.

The incident took place in Alwar district on Saturday. Pehlu Khan, his two sons and a few other persons who belong to Nuh in Haryana were carrying cows in a pickup van when they were intercepted at Jaguwas Chowk industrial crossing by “gau rakshaks” said to be associated with the VHP and the Bajrang Dal.

They claimed to have received information that cows were being smuggled. Even after Pehlu Khan showed documents to prove that they had bought the cows from a livestock fair in Jaipur, the mob started beating them. A video showing how the men were dragged out of their truck and thrashed went viral.