Vadodara : Anti-Cattle Squad Staff Attacked by Herdsmen, Four Accused Identified

Vadodara : Three members of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation’s (VMC) anti-cattle squad were severely injured late Monday night in Sama area when they were attacked by a group of herdsmen while trying to apprehend stray cattle. A complaint has been registered at the Sama police station against the main accused, Rohit Bharwad, and eight to nine of his accomplices.

The incident transpired around 10:45 pm during a routine cattle catching operation in Sama. The anti-cattle squad, accompanied by VMC security guards and police personnel, were in the process of removing stray cattle from the roads when they were ambushed by Bharwad and his associates.

According to the complaint filed by Anti-Cattle Squad inspector Simon Christian, the team comprised Ashikbhai, supervisor Ishwarrao Janki Ramaiah, five security guards, and an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) from the police department. While apprehending a stray cow at Suhas junction in Sama, they were confronted by Rohit Bharwad, the cow’s owner, who vehemently opposed the action.

Bharwad’s resistance escalated into violence as he allegedly called upon his accomplices identified as Vipul Rathwa, Bhavesh Karamashibhai, Lalo Boliya, and four to five other unidentified herdsmen. The group proceeded to hurl stones and attack the squad members with wooden sticks. The anti-cattle squad’s vehicle also sustained damage during the assault.

The Sama police station has registered a complaint against four accused, including Rohit Bharwad. The prime accused is currently absconding, and the police have initiated a search operation to apprehend him and his accomplices.