BJP leaders visit Sonu Singh who is recuperating in a hospital in Secunderabad
NEW DELHI – Amid daily reports of cattle traders being lynched or roughed up at the hands of self-appointed gau rakshaks (cow vigilantes), first incident occurred in Telangana that a cattle trader shot a cow vigilante.
Sonu Singh alias Prashanth, a resident of Rampally village in Medchal, received grievous gunshot injuries after a cattle trader allegedly fired at him on Wednesday night.
Singh, who works at a local gaushala (cowshed), reportedly was challenged by cattle trader Ibrahim, resident of Hyderabad. This is not the first time the men have faced each other. Previously, Singh had intercepted Ibrahim’s vehicle twice and harassed him, media reports reaching here said on Thursday.
Under the pretext of resolving the matter, Ibrahim allegedly took Singh to an open real estate venture and shot him. Singh received injuries on his chest and right abdomen and was initially rushed to a private hospital in Uppal, from where he was referred to Yashoda Hospital in Secunderabad. His condition is reported to be out of danger.
Rachakonda commissioner of police, Sudheer Babu, reached the spot and inspected the area. Special teams have been formed to nab Ibrahim, who is currently on the run, reports said.
Meanwhile, Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Ramachander Rao, Union ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay and MP Etala Rajendra visited Sonu Singh at the hospital. Hindutva organisation, Bajrang Dal, has demanded the immediate arrest of the accused.
Violence associated with cow vigilantes, who have been harassing cattle traders and extracting money from them, has sparked widespread debate and concern about vigilantism and the rule of law. In some cases, the alleged perpetrators have themselves become victims of violence or faced legal consequences. The issue highlights the complexities of cow protection and the need for lawful and peaceful resolution of disputes.
