Eight arrested for thrashing Dalits in AP

Police, however, clarified that the incident, which happened late on Monday night, had nothing to do with ‘cow vigilantism’ as suspected.  Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said, “Stern action will be initiated against anyone attacking Dalits. Anyone trying to disturb law and order would be sternly dealt with.” 

He reviewed the incident with Director General of Police (in charge) N Sambasiva Rao and Additional DGs RP Thakur and AB Venkateswara Rao here on Wednesday evening. He directed the DGP to take strong legal action against the culprits. He directed East Godavari district Collector to take care of the medical expenses of the two injured. He also asked the Collector to immediately give them Rs 1 lakh each.

In yet another incident of cow vigilantism, Bajrang Dal activists allegedly thrashed four persons whom they suspected of being ‘cow thieves’ near Jiroli village on the outskirts of the city. The incident occurred when ‘gau rakshaks’ led by Bajrang Dal district president Kedar Singh tried to intercept a matador carrying a buffalo but the driver refused to stop, police said. The activists raised an alarm and a road block was laid by other members of the group at a short distance ahead. 

Seeing the road block, the four persons who were in the matador jumped out and tried to escape, they added. However, they were nabbed and beaten up by the crowd which had gathered on the spot before being handed over to the police along with their vehicle. The Bajrang Dal activists alleged that the behaviour of the four persons had been ‘suspicious’ and accused them of being cattle thieves. 

According to police, the four apprehended persons are being interrogated. The incident came as the Home Ministry issued an advisory on Tuesday evening asking all states not to tolerate anyone taking law into their hands in the name of protecting cow.