Mob attacks buffalo traders in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh; two cases filed

Two Muslim traders and a van driver were physically assaulted by a mob, allegedly by Hindutva outfit workers, for transporting buffaloes in Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh district, with videos of the incident surfacing online. Police are registering two cases in the matter, including one against the injured for animal cruelty, officers said on Wednesday (Oct 28, 2026).

According to police, the incident took place in Hardua village under Hindoriya police station on the evening of October 26 when Abid Qureshi and Hasan Qureshi, both local buffalo traders, were transporting some buffaloes in a transport vehicle and were stopped by a group of people.

Damoh Superintendent of Police (SP) Anand Kaladagi told The Hindu that the incident took place over suspected buffalo theft.

He said that both the shopkeepers, the driver and the owner of the van have been charged with animal cruelty, while a separate FIR has been lodged against unknown persons under relevant provisions like assault based on the video clips and the victim’s complaint.

“We have identified some people with the help of video clips and are working to arrest them. The traders were booked as the animals were being transported in a bad condition in a small van,” the SP said.

The alleged clips show the mob tying up two traders, dragging them across a field and attacking them with sticks.

Two of the victims were treated in Damoh while one was sent to Jabalpur for further treatment. Mr Kaladagi said all three were now stable.

Mr. Abid, who spoke to journalists at the hospital, said the receipt was shown to the people who stopped the van to prove that they were not transporting stolen buffaloes.

“They didn’t listen to us, so we started running to save ourselves, but they caught us. They beat us up badly, even though we kept saying that the buffaloes were not stolen. We were a little relieved when the police came,” he said, semi-conscious, with injury marks on his face and other parts of his body.

Meanwhile, members of the Muslim community also staged a demonstration at the SP office and demanded strict action against the accused.

Published – 29 Oct 2026 0:45 AM IST