In an another incident of alleged cow vigilantism, a Muslim man transporting cattle was shot dead and two of his associates were assaulted in Rajasthan’s Alwar district. The incident happened on Friday when Ummar Khan, a 35-year-old dairy farmer was transporting four cows to his native village Ghatmika in Bharatpur. The victim, along with his two aides, Tahir Khan and Javed Khan, were attacked by cow vigilantes in Fahari village near Govindh Gadh.

According to a report by The Hindu, the deceased’s dismembered  body was found on the railway tracks near Govindgarh. Police on Sunday registered a case of murder on the basis of the family’s complaint.

Several members of the Meo Muslim community gathered outside the district hospital in Alwar to demand action against cow vigilante groups responsible for the attack.  “A mob of about 7 people waylaid their vehicle and began harassing them. They were calling themselves gau rakshaks and fired at Ummar Khan,” said Iliyas, uncle of the deceased, reports The Times of India.

Alwar police, which is investigating the case, said that the motive behind the attack is unclear. A vehicle belonging to cattle smugglers was found abandoned at the site. The pickup truck had three cows and three calves, including a dead cow. The front two tyres of the vehicle were missing and both rear tyres were punctured. 

Police are investigating whether it was a case of cow smuggling which reportedly triggered cow vigilantism.

 The first FIR was lodged on Friday under The Rajasthan Bovine Animal (Prohibition of Slaughter and Regulation of Temporary Migration or Export) Act, against the alleged cow smugglers and the vehicle sent to Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). The second FIR was lodged two days later under IPC section 302 (murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence), reports Indian Express.

When asked about this incident, State Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria, told NDTV, “We don’t have enough manpower to control every situation in all cities in time.” He also asserted that action would be taken whether the accused is Hindu or Muslim.

In April this year, a 55-year-old dairy farmer Pehlu Khan from Mewat, Haryana was assaulted near Alwar by cow vigilantes on National Highway 8. He succumbed to his injuries two days later.