Seven Andhra Pradesh tourists attacked by Odisha cattle traffickers

Rayagada(Odisha): Seven tourists from Andhra Pradesh were assaulted by a group of suspected cattle traffickers in Odisha’s Rayagada district when they objected to alleged torture of animals, the police said on Saturday.

The tourists, including three women, were attacked on Friday night by nearly 20 people, according to a complaint lodged in Chandili police station.

An injured tourist, K.V. Kanan, said, “The cattle traffickers were beating the animals. When we protested, they assaulted us. They also molested three of our women companions.”

Mobile phones of some of the tourists were also snatched, he said.

“We dialled police helpline number 100 and tried to contact local police station, superintendent of police and collector, but to no avail,” Mr Kanan said.

Inspector U.N. Sethi of Chandili police station said investigation into the case had begun but no arrest had been made. 

Cattle dealers from Andhra Pradesh buy cattle from Rayagada, Gajapati, Kalahandi and Koraput areas of Odisha. Animal lovers have often complained about the ill-treatment of animals during transportation.