Two days after the attack on a man for alleged cattle theft, the Uttara Kannada police have arrested three persons of a Hindutva group in Bhatkal. All three were however, released on bail.
According to eyewitness accounts, Shekar Manjayya Naik (24) from Puravarga area of Bhatkal hired an autorickshaw last Wednesday, telling the driver that he wanted to take his calf to the veterinary hospital. But midway, he asked the driver to go to a slaughterhouse. Suspecting his intention, the driver stopped the vehicle at Chowtani in the town. A crowd gathered and Keshava (23), associated with a Hindutva group, and others assaulted Naik, tore his clothes and paraded him through the streets after tying the rope attached to the calf around his waist.
Bhatkal Town Sub-Inspector Revati, who was on patrolling duty, saw the procession and took Naik and Keshav to the police station. During questioning, Naik said admitted that he had stolen the calf from the house of a Muslim family and was on his way to sell it.
The police said Naik was booked for cattle theft and produced before a Magistrate court in Bhatkal, which remanded him in judicial custody.
Naik however, lodged a complaint against Keshava and others for the assault.
On Thursday, police arrested Keshava, while Manjayya (25) and Nagaraj (23) were arrested on Friday.
