A violent incident unfolded in West Delhi's Janakpuri area on Tuesday, where two men were allegedly beaten up by a group that accused them of being cattle smugglers. The Delhi Police swiftly responded to a PCR call regarding the assault, which has brought to light the tensions surrounding livestock transportation in the region.
Police Respond to Distress Call
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Darade Sharad Bhaskar, the police control room received a call from an individual identifying himself as Nirmal. The caller reported that a group of people had caught individuals they suspected to be cattle smugglers near Janakpuri School and were taking them towards Najafgarh. Upon reaching the location, police officials found a damaged car abandoned on the roadside.
The caller, Nirmal, stated that while passing through the area, he witnessed several people assaulting two men and vandalising their vehicle. This eyewitness account prompted the immediate police intervention at the scene.
Investigation Reveals Legitimate Business
During the subsequent inquiry, police identified the injured men as Amaan and Mohammad Irfan. The investigation uncovered that the duo were involved in the meat supply business. They reportedly supplied buffalo meat daily from the Ghazipur slaughterhouse to three different shops—two located in Khyala and one in Bindapur.
To substantiate their trade, the injured men presented a Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) slaughterhouse receipt dated January 6. The receipt mentioned one buffalo in the name of Nabeel, who was revealed to be Amaan's brother. Police further claimed that Nabeel also supplied meat to the same set of shops, indicating a family-run supply chain.
Confrontation and Assault
The sequence of events, as pieced together by the police, suggests that the assault occurred after Amaan and Irfan had completed their daily deliveries. They were allegedly confronted by two men, identified as Vishal and Gopal, who suspected them of smuggling cows instead of legally transporting buffalo meat.
This confrontation quickly escalated into a physical assault on the two suppliers. Following the attack, both injured individuals were taken to a hospital for a medical examination. The police are continuing their investigation into the matter to ascertain the full details and identify all individuals involved in the beating.
The incident highlights the volatile nature of mob justice and the dangers of acting on suspicion without verification. It also underscores the challenges faced by individuals in the meat trade amidst heightened sensitivities around cattle in parts of North India.
