Cow vigilantes attack nomad family in Jammu and Kashmir; booked

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday arrested four members of a self-styled 'gau rakshak' (cow vigilante) group in Reasi district after they attacked and injured a nomadic family of five.

Earlier reports said that five persons, including a nine-year-old girl, were injured in the Thursday night attack in Talwara area while moving with their livestock. However, later, reports suggested that the vigilantes had beaten two adults and no child was injured in the attack.

When the family took refuge in the premises of a police station, gau rakshaks reached there too and entered into a scuffle with cops. They accused the family of cow smuggling.

"A FIR has been lodged. We have arrested persons involved in the attack on the nomad family moving with their livestock -- cattle, sheep, and goats on April 20 night," a senior police officer told news agency IANS.

The police officer said the livestock has already been restored to the goatherds who are their rightful owner.

(With Agency inputs)