LUCKNOW: Dalits in Lucknow, who skin dead cows for a living, have refused to lift carcasses after “vigilantes” thrashed two of their community members on suspicion of cow slaughter in Takrohi area on July 28.



A contractor reported the matter to Lucknow Municipal Corporation on Monday, following which the civic body assured security to its workers, and filed a police complaint.



Dalits said number of attacks on their community had increased in the past six months. “I have not been able to sleep since July 28,” said Vidyasgar and Chhotey, recalling how cow vigilantes thrashed them. They are two of the 18 Dalits who work for Mohammad Iliyas, the contractor who reported the attack.



Vidyasgar and Chhotey were transporting a dead cow on the civic body’s call when a gau rakshak group thrashed the two, accusing them of slaughter. “They also threatened to kill them if they carried on with their job,” said Iliyas. “We will not lift dead animals. We will let them rot in front of people’s houses,” said contractor Deepak.

