Bengaluru

Twopersons were allegedly assaulted by a group of unidentified men during an inquiry into alleged illegal transportation and storage of cattle and camels in the outskirts of Bengaluru City, police said on Saturday.

The incident occurred late Friday night at Medimallasandra village under the limits of Anugondanahalli Police Station, they said. Police said a case has been registered based on a complaint lodged by Sanjay Kulkarni, an honorary Animal Welfare Officer with the Animal Welfare Board of India.

According to the FIR, Kulkarni received information that over 20 camels and several cows had allegedly been kept at Medimallasandra village for slaughter during the Bakrid festival.

Acting on the tip-off, Kulkarni, along with a volunteer identified as Manjunatha and four police personnel, visited the location around 2.15 am. However, by the time they reached the spot, the animals had allegedly been moved away, the complaint stated.

The complainant further alleged that a group of people gathered at the spot and shouted at them. The team later proceeded to another location near a plywood factory in the village, where 10 cows were allegedly found being kept illegally behind the premises.

At the location, a large group of unidentified persons allegedly assaulted Kulkarni and the volunteer with fists, stones and sharp weapons, causing injuries to the neck, face and head, it stated. Police personnel who accompanied them later shifted the injured to hospital for treatment.

Kulkarni, who is also associated with Gau Gyan Foundation, termed the incident “shocking” and demanded strict action against the culprits and immediate protection for whistleblowers and animal welfare volunteers.

The NGO also sought a high-level independent investigation into the alleged cattle mafia nexus operating in the region and urged intervention by the Karnataka government, senior police authorities, the Animal Welfare Board of India and the judiciary to ensure immediate arrests and rescue of surviving animals.