Community leaders question law enforcement’s response, demand inquiry and action against attackers
HYDERABAD — Two young men were allegedly attacked in Hyderabad on 15 February after being stopped on suspicion of cattle smuggling while transporting two calves in a vehicle near the Outer Ring Road under the Vanasthalipuram police station limits of the Malkajgiri Police Commissionerate.
The victims have been identified as Mirza Haroon Beg and Mohammed Tahir, both residents of the Moin Bagh area of the city. According to the complaint made by the victims’ family, the two were intercepted by a group of around 15 to 20 men said to be linked to Bajrang Dal, who accused them of illegally transporting cattle and allegedly assaulted them.
Family members of the victims said that Haroon and Tahir had the purchase bills for the calves and tried to show them to the group before the attack.
Haroon’s brother told reporters that he was only helping Tahir as a friend. “My brother was not doing any illegal work. He was simply helping Tahir transport the calves from one place to another. They had proper purchase bills,” he said.
He added, “Even after showing the bills, they were beaten. What was their fault?”
The family claimed that Tahir intended to care for the calves until Bakrid. “Tahir wanted to look after them. There was no question of smuggling,” Haroon’s brother said.
After the incident, the two men went to the police station to lodge a complaint. However, the family alleges that instead of registering their complaint against the attackers, the police registered a case against the two men. Their vehicle was seized, and the calves were sent to a cow shelter.
The development has raised serious concerns among members of the local Muslim community, who have questioned why those who reported the assault ended up facing legal action themselves.
Haroon’s brother claimed that Mohammed Tahir was released after questioning at the police station, but action against Haroon continued. “Tahir was let go after some time, but proceedings against my brother did not stop,” he said.
Amjedullah Khan, spokesperson of Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT), reacted strongly to the incident. He said he had spoken to Haroon’s brother and also contacted the Vanasthalipuram Police Inspector and the Assistant Commissioner of Police regarding the matter.
Khan questioned whether there is a complete ban on animal transportation in Telangana. “If transporting animals with proper documents is not illegal, then why were these young men treated like criminals?” he asked.
He accused the police of bias and said that if no legal violation is proved, the case against the two men should be withdrawn. “If there is no offence, the case must be cancelled. Innocent people should not suffer,” he said.
Khan also demanded that a case be registered against those who allegedly carried out the assault. “Private groups cannot be allowed to take the law into their own hands. This weakens the rule of law in the state,” he said.
He further called for a medical examination of any police personnel said to have been injured during the incident, stating that facts should be placed clearly before the public.
“This is not just about two individuals. It is about whether citizens can move freely without fear,” Khan said.
The incident has once again brought attention to tensions around cattle transportation and allegations of vigilante action. Members of the local community have urged the authorities to conduct a fair and transparent inquiry.
A resident, who did not wish to be named, said, “If someone breaks the law, action should be taken through proper legal channels. But stopping people on the road and beating them is not justice.”
As of now, police officials have not issued a detailed public statement explaining the basis of the case registered against the two men. The matter remains under investigation.
The families of Haroon and Tahir have called for justice and protection. “We only want fairness,” Haroon’s brother said. “If there was any mistake, show us the law. But do not punish us without reason.”
