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Updated: Aug 06, 2017 19:48 IST

The Ahmednagar police detained around 20 people on Saturday in connection with an alleged attack on `gau rakshaks’ (cow protectors) in Shrigonda (100-km from Pune) earlier on Saturday evening.

Seven gau rakshaks were severely injured and were admitted to a hospital following the attack.

Police said that the situation in Shrigonda was tense but under control. The administration has deployed heavy police force in Shrigonda and other sensitive places in Ahmednagar district considering communal nature of the incident.

The police have registered cases including attempt to murder against the 20 people who are likely to be formally arrested soon. Police were recording statements of the detained people and more arrests are likely to take place.

A mob had attacked cow protectors when they intercepted a mini truck, which allegedly was transporting cows to a slaughter house. The cows were allegedly picked up from Kashti in Ahmednagar district. Trouble started soon after Shishankar Swami (25), an activist from Pune, approached Shrigonda police after they discovered the transportation of cows.

Read more: Everyone has right to eat beef, cow vigilantes should be punished: Ramdas Athawale

Police intercepted the vehicle near Shrigonda and took it to the police station. Twelve cows were found in the mini truck. Police registered offences against the driver Fatturbhai Shaikh and his helper Sajid Gulkab Shaikh.

Tension rose when Swami insisted upon registering case against the arrested two. Police asked them to wait till senior officials arrived at the station. Swami and others were attacked by a mob when they were waiting outside the police station. According to the complaint, the mob attacked seven gau rakshaks with sticks and stones.

The seven were bleeding heavily when they were taken to the hospital for treatment, police said. They were shifted to Ahmednagar for further medical treatment.

Police immediately caught a few people after the attack and beefed up security in Shrigonda and few other places after the incident.

Swami is a known activist of Akhil Bharat Krushi Gosewa Sangh, founded by Mahatma Gandhi. Swami had intercepted vehicles transporting cows in the past as well.