'Tied with ropes, dragged on the road': Muslim milk sellers assaulted by Hindutva mob in India
Three Muslim milk sellers in India's Madhya Pradesh have been assaulted by a group of men described as Hindutva activists and cow vigilantes, who allegedly tied them with ropes, dragged them along a road and beat them after accusing them of stealing a cow.
The victims, Hasan Qureshi, Abid Qureshi and their driver Hussain Khan, were attacked on October 26 near the Sagar-Jabalpur bypass in Hardua Muda village in Damoh district, according to reports by Maktoob and TRT World.
Hasan Qureshi, who has been selling milk for years, said the group was returning from Murid Baba Mazar when they were intercepted by men travelling on motorcycles. The attackers allegedly abused and assaulted them before taking them towards a pond, where more people joined the attack.
Videos of the incident circulating on social media show the three men being restrained with ropes, dragged along the road and assaulted.
Speaking to Maktoob from his hospital bed, Hasan denied the cattle theft allegations, saying they were transporting milk-producing buffaloes and had purchase receipts to prove their ownership.
"They did not even give us a chance to show the purchase receipts. First, they attacked the vehicle with bricks, and then, a few miles later, they intercepted our vehicle with a tractor and dragged us out," he said.
"We were tied with ropes and dragged on the road while being assaulted," he added.
According to the first information report (FIR), filed by driver Hussain Khan on October 27 at Hindoria Police Station, the attackers stopped their vehicle, assaulted them and caused injuries.
Khan sustained injuries to his head and body, while Hasan suffered injuries to his hands, legs and other parts of his body. Both were taken to a government hospital in an emergency vehicle, the FIR states.
The case has been registered under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including provisions relating to assault, criminal intimidation and causing hurt.
Victim disputes police account of arrests
Police have reportedly arrested two people in connection with the incident. However, Hasan disputed the arrests, claiming that the two individuals taken into custody were not among those who assaulted them.
He said he had named seven people in his complaint and demanded action against everyone allegedly involved in the attack.
Hasan also called for an attempt-to-murder charge to be added to the case, alleging that the existing charges were insufficient given the severity of the assault.
"Those who have been arrested are not the ones who assaulted us," he told Maktoob.
He further alleged that some of the attackers had previously been involved in similar incidents but had faced no significant consequences.
The FIR does not include an attempt-to-murder charge.
Attack puts family's livelihood at risk
The assault has also left Hasan uncertain about continuing the family dairy business, which has been his primary source of income for years.
His brothers are also involved in the business, and the family depends on its earnings to meet their daily expenses.
However, the attack has left his family fearful for their safety, with relatives urging him to abandon the trade.
"Our livelihood depends on it, but my family wants me to leave this work. They are worried for our lives," Hasan said.
Asked how he would support his family if he stopped selling milk, he said he had no alternative source of income.
"I have no idea. We do not know any other work. We will discuss it later," he said.
Hasan said he had never experienced such an attack throughout his years in the dairy business, although he was aware of the risks faced by Muslim cattle traders amid recurring incidents of violence over allegations of cow slaughter.
The other two victims, Abid Qureshi and Hussain Khan, were still receiving hospital treatment and were unable to speak to Maktoob when the outlet contacted them.
No further details of police action against the accused were available in the report.