MANGALURU: A mob in Melanthabettu of Belthangady taluk assaulted two men on Wednesday believing them to be cattle thieves, according to the police, which rescued the victims. Police arrested five people in connection with the incident.
The victims, identified as Abdul Rahim and Musthafa, residents of Kupetti in Belthangady sustained grievous injuries and are undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Mangaluru. The police have arrested Rajesh Bhat, Rakesh Bhat, Guruprasad, Lokesh and Chidanand for the assault, while few others are yet to be arrested.
The incident took place when the victims, who are colleagues, were returning home in a pick-up truck after repairing the vehicle at a garage in Church Road, Belthangady. Upon reaching near Melanthabettu, around 10.45pm, two unidentified persons arrived on bikes and asked them to stop the vehicle. Soon, few others arrived in a car and started assaulting them and accusing them of cattle theft and illegal transportation. The victims were assaulted with clubs and footwear. The mob also damaged their vehicle, said the police.
Police reached the spot a few minutes after the incident. By then a large mob had gathered.
A case has been registered under Indian Penal Code Sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 341(wrongful restraint), 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 506 (criminal intimidation) 323 (hurt) 324 (hurt by dangerous weapons or means) 326 (causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) 355 (assault or use of criminal force to any person, intending thereby to dishonour that person, otherwise than on grave and sudden provocation given by that person) 427 read with 149 (damage to property).