A group of 13 persons allegedly thrashed three youths belonging to the Koraga community (Scheduled Tribe) accusing them of slaughtering two oxen for a beef meal at an engagement function in Ganadamakki at Trasi village in the early hours of April 25.

Harish, one of the three persons, who was allegedly assaulted, told The Hindu on Thursday that when the group barged into the engagement function of his cousin, they had brought three policemen with them. They thrashed him, Mahesh, and Srikanth, accusing them of slaughtering oxen. They also abused the women of the community, he alleged. The police then took the three of them into custody and took them to the Gangolli police station, he said.

“They were local boys [who attacked us]. The two oxen were given to us by a person belonging to the Hindu community. It is not uncommon for people around here to give us oxen,” he said. Shakuntala, member of Hosadu Gram Panchayat and Congress member, who is also Mr. Harish’s aunt, said that she was also present at the engagement function that day. She said she managed to get Mr. Harish, Mr. Mahesh and Mr. Srikanth released on bail. However, the same night (at around 10 p.m.), about three or four persons came and threatened to set their houses on fire and showered abuses on them. There are eight houses belonging to the Koraga community in the locality. Ms. Shakuntala said she had brought this matter to the notice of the police.

We got tip-off: police

On the other hand, Praveen Nayak, Deputy Superintendent of Police, said that had received a tip-off on cow being slaughtered on that day. They went there and arrested the three on the charge of slaughtering oxen, under the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act, 1964, after a complaint was lodged by one Sharath.

The police team have also collected the samples of the slaughtered animals, he added.

A counter-case has also been registered against 13 persons, who allegedly barged into the function, on a complaint given by Ms. Shakuntala. “The search is on to nab the accused,” Mr. Nayak said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Harish, who was admitted to the Government Hospital in Kundapur on the morning of April 26 following the assault, was discharged on Thursday afternoon.

Protest

The Karnataka Fede

ration of Dalit Associations, the Dalit Damanitara Swabhimani Horata Samiti, and the Federation of Koraga Associations will stage a protest in front of the District Police Office here on Friday demanding the arrest of the guilty for assaulting members of the Koraga community.