Animal welfare activists attacked during cattle rescue operation

The Anugondanahalli police have registered an attempt to murder case against a group of men for allegedly attacking an animal welfare activist and his associate during a cattle rescue operation at Medimallasandra village in the early hours of Saturday.

The assault allegedly took place in the presence of police personnel who had accompanied the activists for the rescue operation.

Sanjay Kulkarni, an honorary Animal Welfare Officer associated with the Animal Welfare Board of India, was allegedly brutally assaulted by suspected cattle mafia members during the operation.

The incident reportedly occurred after activists received information that more than 100 cattle and 20 camels were allegedly being illegally confined in inhuman conditions ahead of Bakrid celebrations. According to complaints submitted by animal welfare volunteers, the animals were allegedly deprived of food, water, and shelter, while being prepared for illegal slaughter and sale.

The activists had submitted a written complaint to police on Friday, seeking urgent rescue action and legal intervention under various animal protection laws. The complaint also referred to earlier FIRs registered in the same area concerning similar illegal activities.

According to the complaint filed by Sanjay Kulkarni, the police personnel accompanied the complainants to a shed near a plywood factory in Medimallasandra around 11.40 p.m., where the cattle and camels were reportedly being hidden. Soon after reaching the spot, a group of men allegedly linked to the cattle mafia gathered at the location.

The complaint alleged that the attackers identified Kulkarni and other volunteers as the complainants while the police personnel were present and recording videos. The accused allegedly surrounded the activists, hurled abuses and threats, and launched a violent assault using sharp objects.

Kulkarni and another volunteer were allegedly punched, kicked, and assaulted, causing severe injuries and heavy bleeding.

The complaint also stated that instead of ensuring protection and immediate arrests, the rescue operation was abandoned following the assault. The injured volunteers were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment while several accused allegedly fled from the spot.

The names mentioned in the complaint include Arafat Sheik, Ayub Pasha, Shaik Mujaid, and others. Based on the complaint, the police have registered a case against the accused under charges including attempt to murder, rioting, and assault or criminal force against a person without grave and sudden provocation under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The police are currently verifying videos of the assault recorded by one of the activists to identify the accused involved in the attack.

The incident has triggered outrage among animal welfare organisations across the State and other parts of India, with activists questioning how such a brutal attack could allegedly take place in the direct presence of the police personnel. The animal rights groups have termed the incident “an attack not only on Sanjay Kulkarni, but on every citizen trying to uphold the law and protect voiceless animals”.