Delhi: Clash in Khajuri Khas over truck carrying animal hides

Residents of Rajiv Colony and Sri Ram Colony tried to inspect trucks suspected of transporting cow skins. When the truck drivers refused, the enraged residents pelted stones at the truck and set two bikes on fire.

A clash broke out in northeast Delhi’s Khajuri Khas on Friday between residents and two men whom they suspected of transporting animal hides in a truck. Three police officials and a few residents sustained minor injuries and the area was cordoned off for over two hours till normalcy was restored.

Delhi-Police-keep-vigil-after-a-clash-between-two-groups-at-Khajuri-Khas-in-New-Delhi-on-Friday-HT-Photo-Arun-Sharma

Residents of Rajiv Colony and Sri Ram Colony suspected Nasir (33) and Muslim (55) of transporting cow skins in a truck. They stopped the men and asked them to show what was inside the truck. When they refused, the enraged residents pelted stones at the truck and set two bikes on fire.

“I was told the men were carrying cow skin in the truck, which is why I came to see what was happening. Cow slaughter is banned in this country and we will never allow something like that. We were just asking the men to show us what they are carrying. The police used force to disperse us,” said Mahender, a resident.

However, the police clarified that the men were transporting hides of buffaloes and goats to Uttar Pradesh for business purposes. “They (the residents) cornered the men and even vanadalised the truck. The police however intervened and the situation was controlled. We also arrested the two men and they are being questioned,” said DCP (North East) Veenu Bansal.

Nasir and Muslim (55) were arrested and a case was registered against them under several sections of the IPC, including under the Delhi Cattle Preservation Act and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Their truck was also seized.

The police also registered a case of rioting, damaging public property and obstructing public servant against unidentified persons, whom the police are trying identify, for instigating locals to vandalise property.