In swift action, the police arrested four persons in connection with the alleged attempt to murder two migrant workers who were attacked with an iron rod on suspicion of transporting cattle to a slaughterhouse at Karoda near Hosankadi in the early hours of Saturday (February 15, 2026).
The arrested have been identified as Anil Kumar, 23, of Kunchathur, Bharat Raj, 19, of Permuda, Sharath, 19, of Ichilankode, and Rakshit, 21. The police have registered a case against them under Sections 189(2), 191(2), 191(3), 126(2), 118(1), 110, 190, and 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
They were taken into custody by Manjeswaram police inspector P. Ajith Kumar and his team following an intensive probe launched after the incident triggered controversy.
According to the police, the attack occurred around 1.30 a.m. when the victims, Furkan, 46, a resident of Jalalabad, and Daud, 28, a resident of Kajiwada, both in Uttar Pradesh, arrived from Palakkad with cattle. The assailants allegedly intercepted them and assaulted them with an iron rod, accusing them of transporting cows for slaughter.
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Furkhan said he had come to Kasaragod to oversee the unloading of cattle at slaughter shops. He said the attackers questioned the absence of a number plate on the vehicle and asked where the cattle were being taken.
“Before we could explain anything, they began assaulting us,” he said, adding that he had no prior acquaintance with the attackers and that it was only his second visit to Kasaragod.
Mr. Kumar said a group of six people, including one from a minority community, had also reached the spot in an autorickshaw and were involved in the attack. Their role is being examined separately in accordance with juvenile justice procedures.
He said the accused, who were in an inebriated condition, confronted the victims after noticing that the cattle were being transported in a vehicle without a number plate. They accused them of transporting bullocks illegally and refused to allow them to unload the cattle. Those arrested have no prior criminal record, he added.
The injured men sought treatment at the District Cooperative Hospital, Kumbala. Their condition is reported to be stable. Following public outcry over the incident, the police stepped up the investigation, leading to the identification and arrest of the four accused. Further inquiry is under way to ascertain the involvement of others and the circumstances leading to the assault.
Published – February 16, 2026 12:06 am IST
