Seven injured as cow vigilantes assault cattle transporters in Maharashtra’s Jalna
Jalna: In a shocking case of cow vigilantism, seven men, including a 62-year-old, were injured after being assaulted by a mob in Jalna district of Maharashtra late Monday night. The victims, who were transporting cattle purchased from a weekly market, were attacked by a group of unidentified assailants accusing them of taking the animals for slaughter.
According to police sources, the complainant, a 62-year-old man, said his employer, trader Padam Rajput of Borgaon Wadi in Sillod tehsil, had bought 21 bulls from the Wadod Bazaar in Phulambri tehsil. The cattle were being transported in two vehicles, MH-20 EL 7887 and KA 51 DA 4363, to Nalegaon in Latur district’s Chakur tehsil.
When the vehicles reached Londewadi village in Jalna tehsil, the attackers allegedly intercepted them and began beating the transporters with sticks and logs. Despite the victims’ claim that the cattle were for agricultural purposes and that they possessed valid purchase documents, the assault continued.
Police later arrived at the scene, rescued the injured men, and seized the cattle, which were sent to a cow shelter in Ramnagar. However, the complainant alleged that the same group followed them to the shelter and continued the assault even in the presence of police officers.
Social worker Reema Kale-Kharat, who later intervened, accused the police of initially detaining the victims and filing a case against them under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act instead of acting against the attackers. Following her intervention, the police registered an FIR against 10 to 20 unidentified persons for the assault.
The injured were identified as Nisar Patel, Asif Shaikh, Riyaz Qureshi, Sajid Pasha, Asif Sadiq, Javed Qureshi, and Sayyed Parvez, all of whom sustained head and body injuries.
Complainant Nisar Patel alleged that the assailants arrived in a Scorpio vehicle and continued attacking them even at the cow shelter. “How can the police register a case against unidentified persons when we clearly saw who attacked us?” Patel asked, further claiming that the police detained them for nearly 12 hours before taking their complaint.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Anant Kulkarni denied that the assault occurred in the presence of police officers. “There was some dispute between the two parties, and we are investigating the matter,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Maharashtra Muslims (FMM) Jalna unit condemned the incident and demanded immediate action against the attackers. FMM convenor Safir Ahmed recalled that in August 2025, the Maharashtra Police, following directions from Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, had issued a circular stating that only police are authorized to act against illegal transportation of animals.
The circular explicitly prohibits private individuals or cow vigilante groups from stopping or checking vehicles transporting cattle. Despite this directive, Safir alleged, such vigilante attacks continue unabated in several parts of the state.
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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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