Police register murder case after violent confrontation near Umarkhed; two detained
MUMBAI — A Bajrang Dal worker was killed following a violent clash between alleged cow vigilantes and people transporting cattle on the Nagpur-Tuljapur highway in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district, police said. The incident took place late Saturday night and has prompted heightened police vigilance in the communally sensitive Umarkhed region ahead of Eid Al-Adha.
The deceased has been identified as Gajanan Maruti Surose, a resident of Warda-Mohana area in Mahagaon taluka. Police said two suspects have already been detained while teams have been sent to multiple districts in search of other accused persons.
According to preliminary information, Bajrang Dal activists had received information alleging that cattle were being transported in a Bolero pickup vehicle for slaughter. Acting on this information, Gajanan Surose and three other activists reportedly waited near the Bijora toll plaza and began following the vehicle after spotting it on the highway.
During the chase, the pickup vehicle allegedly diverted towards Sukli village, located around five kilometres from Umarkhed. It is claimed that several people were already present in the area. As the activists’ vehicle reached the spot, it was allegedly surrounded and stopped.
Police sources said Gajanan and the other activists were dragged out of their vehicle and assaulted with stones and wooden sticks. After the attack, the assailants reportedly fled from the scene.
Villagers who heard the commotion later reached the location and the injured men were shifted to hospital. However, Gajanan Surose, who had sustained severe injuries, died on the way to the hospital.
Police officials stated that CCTV footage related to the incident has also surfaced and is being examined as part of the investigation. Authorities further said they deliberately restricted the dissemination of sensitive information immediately after the incident to prevent rumours and communal tension in the area.
Officials described Umarkhed taluka in Yavatmal district as communally sensitive, especially during festival periods, and said the incident shortly before Eid Al-Adha had created serious concern for the local administration.
Police maintained that timely intervention helped prevent further escalation and said the situation in the area is currently under control.
Based on a complaint filed by the deceased’s brother, Dineshwar Surose, police have registered a murder case against Sheikh Sultan, a resident of Sukli village, along with other accused persons under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita dealing with murder and criminal acts committed by groups.
Special police teams have been dispatched to Hyderabad, Nanded, Hingoli and Parbhani to trace absconding suspects. Officials said efforts are underway to arrest all accused persons at the earliest.
Authorities have appealed to residents not to spread rumours or inflammatory material related to the incident while the investigation continues.
