MUSLIM MAN ASSAULTED BY COW VIGILANTES DIES IN ALWAR

A Muslim man who was assaulted by vigilantes over suspicion of cow smuggling in Rajasthan died at a hospital in Alwar, police said on Tuesday.

The incident came amid several steps taken by BJP-ruled states to protect cows, considered sacred by many Hindus.

BJP and other right-wing leaders have also been quoted making provocative statements over the issue.

Police said Pehlu Khan, 35, died at a hospital on Monday night, two days after 15-odd people were assaulted by vigilantes on the Alwar highway.

Alwar collector Muktanand Agrawal said Khan was among the people transporting cows in six vehicles. Some of those attacked are undergoing treatment for injuries, while the remaining are in judicial custody, said Virendra Singh, a constable at Bahror police station.

The transporters are said to be Muslims from Haryana’s Nuh district.

The Rajasthan Bovine Animal Act, 1995, prohibits the export of cows for slaughter and treats the transporter as an abettor.

Transportation for agricultural or dairy farming is allowed with permission from the district administration.

The police denied knowledge whether the transporters had permit for transporting the cows.

Family members of the deceased met the sub-divisional officer, who assured them of fair investigation in the case.

“We have registered a case of murder against six persons and 200 unknown people,” said Ramesh Sinsinwar, the station house officer of Bahror. No one has been arrested so far.

The incident came days after the Gujarat assembly passed a bill making cow slaughter punishable with life imprisonment.

THE ALWAR COLLECTOR SAID PEHLU KHAN WAS AMONG THE PEOPLE TRANSPORTING COWS IN SIX VEHICLES