Two Kashmiri drivers were assaulted by Hindutva goons in the Ludhiana city of the Indian state of Punjab for transporting beef.According to Kashmir Media Service, Aijaz Ahmed Gojri, brother of one of the victims, told the media that in early January the duo left Srinagar with a load full of fruits and vegetables which was to be delivered in Delhi.
“They delivered the stock in Delhi and then from Noida, they got another consignment of beef in their truck, however, when they were on the way, a Hindutva gang caught hold of them,” he said.
The goons caught hold of the duo and started initially thrashing their vehicles. The incident reportedly occurred on January 11.
“They dragged them out of the vehicle and started beating them with iron rods. They hit their heads while abusing their mothers and sisters. During this assault, my brother’s eye was critically wounded,” Aijaz Ahmed Gojri said.
He identified the victims as Mohammed Yaqoob of Ganderbal and Showkat Ahmed Gojri, a resident of Tengpora, Srinagar.
The goons beat Showkat and Yaqoob constantly for several minutes and also shot a video of the Kashmiri drivers in which lawlessness can be seen openly. The goons proudly identifying themselves as associates of Hindutva outfit can be heard hurling abuses.
Aijaz said that the two were lying lifeless on the road when the goons called the police and got them arrested. “They have been beaten up inhumanely in the lock up too,” he added. The two drivers are currently lodged at the central jail in Ludhiana.—KMS
