Two Bengaluru-based animal rights activists were allegedly attacked by a mob when they tried to rescue cattle from an illegal slaughter house. The incident happened on Saturday at Avalahalli near Thalaghattapura area of the city when Nandini Neeraj and her friend Rijil were assaulted. 

According to a report by The Hindu, Nandini who is a software engineer, fractured her hand and received head injuries while Sejil sustained injuries on her arms and face. The police constables who were accompanying the duo were also attacked. Her Toyota Innova SUV was also damaged in the attack.

As per reports, Nandini saw 14 cows being transported to a slaughterhouse near Tipu Circle. When she went to the police station to file a complaint, she was told that a 15-member police team will head to the spot to rescue the cattle. She then requested that she be allowed to join the team for easy identification of the slaughterhouse, reports The Times of India.

However, there are conflicting reports about what actually happened during the attack. According to a report by the Indian Express, Nandini has alleged that she was led into a trap by the police after she volunteered to help them nab the cattle smugglers. 

“There was no attempt by the police to stop the slaughter but they instead got off the car and exposed me to the mob,’’ she alleged.

All the 14 cows have been rescued but no arrests have been made so far in the case. Cattle slaughter is illegal in the state as per the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act, 1964.

A similar incident happened last month in Gurgaon where an NRI woman and her friend were attacked by cattle smugglers. The two who were travelling in a car were shot at when they noticed cattle being smuggled in a pick-up truck. Luckily, no one was injured in the attack. 

Scoopwhoop News had earlier compiled a list of cases were armed cattle smugglers killed farmers when they opposed cattle being taken away in trucks in the night.

(Feature image source: Twitter)