BENGALURU: A journalist with a leading news channel from Delhi was attacked by the goons of beef mafia on Tuesday in Kodipalya in Ramanagara Taluk under Kudur police station limits. The team had visited the area to carry out raid on the illegal slaughter house. The Kudur police have arrested seven persons in this connection. The arrested have been identifies as Gazipeer, Khasi, Syed, Mubarakhan, Noor, Imthiaz and Tabrez. All hailing from Ramanagara district.
The Kudur Police have booked them under IPC sections 428 and 429 (mischief by killing or maiming animal). The reporter, the Shivan Chanana (30), later approached the Kudur Police station and filed an FIR against the people for assaulting him. Later Shivan told Deccan Chronicle, "The raid was conducted based on tip-off. My neighbour had got credible information about mass slaughter. We informed the police who initially refused to provide protection and said that the raid may cause law and order issue, but later sent two unarmed policemen."
He further said, "Along with the animal activist Joshine Anthony, I visited the slaughter house located in a village called Kodipalya. As we reached there, we couldn't see calves and who were brought here for the slaughter. But after intense search, the team found over 71 calves inside the slaughterhouse premises, hidden underneath low lying trees and in dense bushes."
According to Shivan, the mouths and feet of these newborn calves were tied to ensure that they could neither run nor make any noise. The team rescued a total of 71 calves. However, the rescue operation turned ugly when the locals gathered and surrounded the team. "They had blocked the way and threatened the team. They said this is our area. When I tried talking to them and sought to know their side of the story, the mob, including meat mafia goons, lost their temper. They pelted stones and snatched my phone," Shivan said. The entire incident was captured on camera and at the presence of police officials. According to the activists and animal welfare officers, there is a nexus between police and the mafia.
Bid on activist's life
Meanwhile, Gautham Sharma, animal welfare officer had a narrow escape after the illegal beef mafia goons allegedly tried to kill him. "I was returning from Kudur on Tuesday evening when the incident happened. Around 4.45 p.m. a truck usually used to transport beef and cattle waylaid me near Yeshwanthpur Railway station. I had a narrow escape where I dodged the truck and was hit on my right shoulder," Kumar said. An FIR is registered in Sadashivnagar police station against the vehicle owned by Manjegowda from Bellur in Mandya District, on Tuesday.
