Agra, December 27: A group of self-styled cow vigilantes, also known as Gau Rakshaks, attacked vehicles of the administration which were transporting stray cows to a cowshed. The Gau Rakshaks pelted stones and assaulted the truck drivers after rumour about cows being transported to a slaughterhouse was circulated on WhatsApp. Following the incident, 19 accused were booked under the National Security Act (NSA) by the Aligarh police on Tuesday.

Locals of Tamotia village had locked around 700 cows in a government school after animals destroyed their crops. The administration then decided to shift cows to a cowshed in Tappal area. "The administration was transporting the stray cows to shelters when few people attacked the vehicles as rumours were spread through WhatsApp that cows were being taken to be slaughtered," SSP Ajay Kumar Sahni told news agency ANI. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Instructs Officials to 'Ensure Shelter for Stray Cows'.

Of the 19 suspects, the police have identified 14 including the admin of WhatsApp group and the person who had written the message asking activists to reach the spot. Four suspects were arrested so far, while three teams have been formed to nab the other accused. While no one was injured the attack, around five cows were found dead in one of the trucks. Two separate cases were filed in connection with the attack. Uttar Pradesh: Four Cow Smugglers Arrested From Muzaffarnagar, Weapons, Cow Meat and Skin Recovered.

Besides NSA, the accused were booked under section 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC and section 7 (molesting a person to prejudice of employment or business) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act. Aligarh DM CB Singh said a constable and home guard tried to placate the crowd but they didn't listen.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 27, 2018 09:36 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).