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MUMBAI: A Muslim man carrying buffalo meat was assaulted in India’s Uttar Pradesh by a group of men led by a person calling himself a “cow vigilante”. However, the district police have registered a case against the victim.
Video footage showed Mohammed Shakir surrounded by a group and a man identified as Manoj Thakur, who allegedly led the assault. Thakur beat the victim with a stick till he fell to the ground.
The police have filed a case against the men who carried out the assault based on a complaint by the victim’s brother. However, they have also filed a counter case – of their own volition – against the victim.
The counter case lists charges relating to ‘mischief by killing an animal’, ‘committing an act likely to spread infection’, and ‘violation of Covid lockdown guidelines’.
Meanwhile, police told Indian media that Shakir was arrested but not jailed as the charges against him were “bailable”. The victim’s family also confirmed that Shakir was recovering at home.
The district police have also arrested four people while two others were on the run. Indian media reported that Thakur — the man who led the assault — had not yet been arrested.
In the police complaint, Shakir’s brother alleged that the victim was intercepted by Thakur and his associates while carrying 50kg of buffalo meat. The FIR stated that the suspects demanded 50,000 Indian rupees and then beat him up.
Meanwhile, Thakur has issued a statement in his defence. “We tried to stop this man but he hit us with his vehicle. Using two sticks to hit a man is a crime but trying to kill someone isn’t? I am trying to stop cow slaughter but the police are now threatening me,” he added.
