Tensions flared in Ingali village of Hukkeri taluk, Belgaum, Karnataka, on June 27 after five members of the Hindutva-affiliated group Sri Ram Sene were assaulted by local Muslim villagers. The group had earlier accused a truck driver of illegally transporting cattle for slaughter, but villagers claim the altercation stemmed from the misbehavior of the activists with a local woman.
According to local reports, the incident began when Sri Ram Sene workers intercepted a truck transporting cattle and forced the driver to a nearby police station, accusing him of cow smuggling. The driver denied the allegations, saying the cattle were meant for dairy purposes, and alleged that the activists were trying to extort money from him.
Following police intervention, the animals were sent to a gaushala (cow shelter) in Belavi.
On the following day, a man named Bapusa Multhani approached the gaushala and claimed ownership of the cattle, providing documents to show they were intended for dairy farming. The cattle were returned to him by the shelter authorities.
Later that day, Sri Ram Sene members reportedly followed Multhani to his home in Ingali village and began creating a commotion. Villagers allege the men forcibly entered the house and misbehaved with a woman family member, which led to the violent retaliation.
Eyewitnesses say that angry villagers tied the five activists to a tree and beat them with wooden sticks. Videos circulating on social media show the men being thrashed and pleading for mercy.
While the Sri Ram Sene has not officially filed a complaint, the Belgaum district police have registered a suo motu case in connection with the violence. Authorities are investigating both the alleged illegal cattle transport and the assault on the Hindutva group members.
