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The cattle trafficking accused are identified as Honnappa Gowda (55) of Belalu who was the vehicle driver and Usman (60) of Mogru village. Meanwhile, Santosh Poojary (30) of Bandaru, Dhanaraj (21), Latish (20) and Sharath (19) of Kaniyoor have been arrested for assaulting the duo. It is said that the arrested four are members of a pro-hindutva organisation.
Apparently, the workers of a pro-hindutva organisation had allegedly intercepted a vehicle at Mogru Junction on Thursday night alleging cattle was being transported to slaughter houses illegally. The police rushed to the spot and arrested the cattle transporters as well as the assaulters. The police action infuriated the pro-hindutva organisatios with over 200 activists gathering in front of the Uppinangady police station late in the night. Despite pressure from Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja to not to register case against the accused, the police stood their ground. The accused were later released on bail.