11 assault, tonsure 2 Dalit men; nine held

Two Dalit men were tonsured, assaulted, forced to crawl on their knees and consume grass and water from a drain, on suspicion of cow smuggling in Ganjam district of Odisha, police said on Tuesday, adding that nine people, including a minor, have been held in connection with the case.

- Debabrata Mohanty

BHUBANESWAR:

The incident took place on June 22 in Jahada area of Kharigumma village in the district. Police said that a mob led by Raja Samal (25) confronted the two Dalit men, who are cousins, and accused them of smuggling cows.

The accused then demanded ₹30,000 to release the Dalit men's cattle. When they refused, the accused assaulted them, police said.