Four Arrested for Assaulting Sri Rama Sene Members in Belagavi

BM TEAM

Four Arrested for Assaulting Sri Rama Sene Members in Belagavi

Belagavi: Police have arrested four individuals in connection with the assault of five Sri Rama Sene members in Ingali village, located in Hukkeri taluk of Belagavi district. The incident occurred on June 28 and came to light after a video of the attack went viral on social media, prompting police to file a suo motu case.

In the video, a group of villagers is seen tying five men to coconut trees and physically assaulting them. The victims, members of the Sri Rama Sene, claimed they were attacked while trying to stop the illegal transportation of cattle.

However, villagers disputed this claim, alleging instead that the Sri Rama Sene members misbehaved with women in the village. According to police, on June 26, the activists had intercepted a vehicle carrying cattle and brought it along with the driver to the Hukkeri police station, claiming the animals were being transported for slaughter.

The cattle were later shifted to a shelter, but officials verified that the animals had been legally purchased for dairy purposes. The animals were subsequently returned to the owners on June 28.

Police say that later that day, Sri Rama Sene members entered a villager’s home—where only women were present —reportedly creating a commotion. Investigations are underway into allegations of inappropriate behavior during this incident.

Angered by the intrusion, a group of villagers reportedly assaulted the activists, according to Superintendent of Police Bhimashankar S. Guled.

“This act by the villagers is a violation of law and order. However, the arrested individuals are not entirely innocent—one of them is a rowdy-sheeter who has been externed from the district”,the SP added.