Howrah: Man thrashed, van torched on suspicion of cattle smuggling

kolkata: A man was beaten up in Howrah district on Sunday, and a pick-up van was set ablaze by a mob who suspected that he was smuggling cattle, police said.

The incident happened in Pakuria in Domjur police station area in the early hours when a group of three-four men was trying to get a bull into the van, they said.

Locals intercepted them suspecting them to be cattle smugglers who were stealing the bull. While all in the group fled after being chased, Md Izhar was caught by the mob, police said.

They thrashed him, and set the pick-up van on fire, a police officer said. Izhar was rescued by the police and admitted to a nearby hospital.

His condition is stated to be stable, the officer said. He is being questioned to understand the motive of the group, he said. Raids were on to nab the accused.