Cow transporters attack tourists in Odisha

A group of tourists were allegedly assaulted and robbed by cattle transporters here after they asked them not to beat up the animals, police said today.
The incident took place near Khedapada village last evening when the tourists were returning after visiting tourist place nearby.
One of the tourists, K Venkateswaran Kannan, a resident of Hyderabad, lodged a complaint at Chandili police station today.
Meanwhile in Delhi, a group of people protested outside Odisha Bhawan against the incident.
One of the protesters, Poonam claimed she tried to meet the resident commissioner on the issue but he refused to talk.
Rayagada SDPO Y J Rao said the complainant alleged that they had spotted a few persons beating cows while transporting them.

"When they intervened, the cow transporters attacked them," he said.

Kannan alleged that the accused hit him with an axe, pulled his wife, snatched his mobile phone and wallet, besides attacking his friends who had come to his help.
The tourists, who claim to be animal lovers, also approached District Collector Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar and sought her intervention.
"I have directed the police to take action against the attackers. The district has conducive environment for the tourists and their safety is our top priority," the collector said.