Local residents, including activists of a Hindutva group, on Sunday assaulted a cattle transporter near a village in Kumta of Uttara Kannada district.
Eyewitnesses said that around 100 people stopped a vehicle near a temple in Hosa Haravatta, in which two cows and a calf were being transported. Among those present were activists of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike. People, who lost their cows recently, were also present.
The group rained blows on Nagabhushan Hegde (40), the driver, after confronting him for allegedly illegally transporting cows despite being warned twice earlier. The group then handed him over to the police and lodged a complaint.
According to the police, Hegde said he was transporting the cattle on behalf of Subraya Madiwalar. He told the police that he was heckled and not assaulted. A medical examination report did not reveal any wound on his body, the police said.
The police have registered a case against Hegde, who was remanded in judicial custody.
