An anti-encroachment operation in Indore’s Dutt Nagar area on Wednesday turned chaotic as cow vigilantes, reportedly led by the Bajrang Dal, clashed with municipal employees during the removal of an unauthorized cow shelter. The scuffle resulted in the vandalization of municipal vehicles, and several employees sustained injuries, officials confirmed.
The clash unfolded when municipal workers began shifting cows from the illegal cow shelter to a government-run facility. Videos circulating on social media showed members of the mob smashing vehicle windows with sticks while voicing their outrage.
Deputy Commissioner Lata Agarwal of the Indore Municipal Corporation stated that the cow shelter was constructed without permission and was being removed following complaints from local residents. “Two to three municipal employees were beaten, but reports also suggest that both sides engaged in the altercation,” she said, confirming damage to municipal vehicles.
Bajrang Dal convenor Praveen Darekar contested the removal, claiming that the shelter had existed for nearly three decades. He alleged that during the operation, 20-25 cows were crammed into a single vehicle, leading to injuries among the animals, which enraged local residents. “When the Hindu community protested, municipal workers misbehaved with them,” Darekar said, warning of retaliatory legal action if cases were filed against Bajrang Dal members.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Vinod Kumar Meena stated that no formal complaints had been lodged by either party but assured that an investigation would proceed upon receiving one.
