Animal Activists Assault Men Transporting Buffaloes In Delhi Alleging Illegal Transportation

The police, however, said the animals were being legally transported and the victims had the transit documents.

Updated on: 23 April 2017 1:00 pm

Three men transporting buffaloes in a truck were allegedly roughed up by members of an animal rights group in south east Delhi's Kalkaji area, following which cross-complaints have been registered.

According to the police, they received a PCR call last night from one Gaurav Gupta claiming that buffaloes were being transported illegally.

A report by The Hindu said that the activists sought police intervention but did not submit any written complaint and instead chose to assault the victims Rizwan, Ashu and Kamil themselves. The police, however, said the animals were being legally transported and the victims had the transit documents.

The complainant claims to be an animal rights activist and office bearer of PFA (People for Animals). However, the animal rights organisation has denied any association with the incident. Union minister Maneka Gandhi is one of the founding members of People For Animals and is also its chairperson.

"We have no PFA unit in Delhi. We have 10,000 volunteers across the country. Whoever acted did so in his individual capacity," Gandhi's office said.

Sources said that the minister spoke to the DCP of the area about the incident.

Medical examination of the injured--Rizwan, Ashu and Kaamil--was carried out and the truck carrying buffaloes was seized by the police.

A case has been registered against the three men on a complaint by the PFA members while the driver of the truck, that was going Ghazipur Mandi, made a complaint against the activists, police said.

A case of voluntarily causing hurt and wrongful restraint has been registered against the PFA members, they added. Further investigation is underway.

Police said they are verifying whether the people who intercepted the truck are members of the PFA and after reaching a conclusion they'll decide the future course of action.

The police reportedly also said that the attackers were objecting to the cruelty involved in transportation, denying any links to cow vigilantism which seems to be assuming growing popularity in recent times.

(With inputs from PTI)