PFA denies role as ‘member’ held

New Delhi, Apr 24

The police today arrested a 32-year-old animal activist in connection with the Kalkaji “vigilante attack” in which three men transporting buffaloes were allegedly assaulted by a mob. The accused, Shashhank Sharma, is stated to be a member of the People For Animals, an NGO founded and chaired by Union Minister Maneka Gandhi.

Sharma allegedly attacked Rizwan, Kamil and Ashu when they were transporting 14 buffaloes in a vehicle on late Sunday night in the Kalkaji area, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Romil Baaniya.

Sharma lives in Rohini area and rents out vans for ferrying schoolchildren. He was part of a group of 10-12 cow vigilantes who attacked the three.

The others allegedly involved in the attack have been asked to join the probe.

The three assaulted men — Rizwan, Ashu and Kamil — were arrested yesterday and later released on bail.

Baaniya said closed-circuit television footage from main roads in the area was being examined to identify more attackers.

A PFA activist, Gaurav Gupta, had tipped off the police about ferrying of the buffaloes to the Ghazipur slaughterhouse in east Delhi, following which the assault occurred.

The PFA today denied any association with the attack. Gupta claimed neither the PFA nor any other NGO had anything to do with the incident.

Gupta claimed he had tipped off the police about ferrying of the buffaloes to the Ghazipur slaughterhouse in east Delhi, following which the assault occurred. — Agencies

Box

Tag cattle to curb trafficking: Panel

New Delhi: An expert panel has suggested a system of unique identification number for animals to stop trafficking of cattle across the Indo-Bangladesh border, the Centre told the Supreme Court on Monday. “This may be made mandatory for all cows and their progeny throughout India for all cattle that is owned,” the panel said. The panel, set up in pursuance of the top court’s order, said the tags could carry identification details such as age, breed, sex, lactation, height, body colour, horn type, tail switch and special marks. A state-level database could be uploaded on to a website, which might be linked with a national online database, it suggested. A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India JS Khehar said it would pass orders on Tuesday. TNS