In a disturbing incident that unfolded near Alhadadpur village in Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh district on Saturday, four men sustained injuries after they were reportedly attacked by a group of individuals, who also set fire to the truck the victims were traveling in.
According to local sources and initial police statements, the truck was allegedly transporting meat, which some locals suspected to be beef, sparking the violent episode.
Police Response and Medical Assistance
According to Amrit Jain, the Superintendent of Police (Rural), Aligarh, law enforcement authorities were alerted to the situation soon after the violence erupted.
Residents from the area had informed the police about the movement of a vehicle allegedly carrying beef, prompting a swift response from the nearest police unit.
“We received information that certain individuals were allegedly transporting beef, which led a group of villagers to intercept their vehicle,” said SP Jain.
“Upon receiving this alert, a police team rushed to the location. We managed to rescue the four individuals who were under attack and immediately transported them to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.”
The injured men were hospitalized, and their current condition is being monitored, though no life-threatening injuries have been reported at this stage.
Truck Set Ablaze, Meat Samples to Be Tested
In addition to the physical assault, the truck carrying the meat was allegedly set on fire by the group, with visuals of the charred remains surfacing later in the day.
Eyewitnesses claim that the mob used sticks and possibly other blunt weapons to beat the victims before torching the vehicle.
As per the police, meat samples recovered from the truck will be sent for forensic testing to determine whether the meat was indeed beef, which could carry legal ramifications under Uttar Pradesh’s laws related to cow protection and slaughter.
“We are currently examining the accusations made by the villagers. Samples of the meat have been collected and will be sent to the laboratory for testing. The results will help us confirm the nature of the meat and determine further legal action,” SP Jain added.
FIR Yet to Be Filed, Awaiting Formal Complaints
While no First Information Report (FIR) had been registered at the time of reporting, police officials indicated that they are in the process of gathering formal complaints from the involved parties.
Authorities have stated that once the complaints are received from either the victims or the villagers, a case will be registered, and the matter will proceed through the due legal process.
“We are in touch with both sides and have asked for formal complaints to be submitted. Based on the information provided and the outcome of our investigation, appropriate legal steps will be taken,” Jain explained.
Viral Video Sparks Outrage
The incident gained further attention after a video purportedly capturing the violent assault began circulating on social media platforms. In the video, four men are seen being beaten with sticks by a mob, with some of the attackers shouting aggressively.
The footage has triggered widespread concern and condemnation from several quarters, with civil society groups calling for a thorough and unbiased investigation.
Rising Concerns Over Mob Violence
This incident is yet another addition to the growing list of mob violence cases in India linked to suspicions around cattle transportation and beef consumption. Such events have repeatedly raised serious questions about law and order, communal tensions, and vigilante justice in sensitive regions.
Human rights organizations and activists have consistently urged the authorities to prevent mobs from taking the law into their own hands and to ensure that both victims and accused are given fair treatment under the law.