'Gau rakshak' shot at in Hyderabad, BJP alleges accused linked to AIMIM

The incident occurred while Sonu was reportedly trying to stop an act of cow smuggling. (Image: News18)

A cow protection activist or a 'gau rakshak' was allegedly shot at on the outskirts of Hyderabad, on Wednesday, sparking a political storm in Telangana.

The victim, identified as Sonu, also known as Prashanth, was reportedly trying to stop illegal cow transport when the incident occurred.

According to the police, the incident took place in an area under Pocharam IT Corridor police station limits between 5.30 pm and 6 pm, when the person fired one round at Sonu.

The Telangana BJP in a release claimed that Prashanth was shot at while stopping "transportation of cows" near Ghatkesar, PTI reported.

The incident triggered sharp reactions from the BJP, which has alleged that the attackers are linked to Asaduddin Owaisi’s party, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM).

According to a report by News18, Telangana BJP President N Ramchander Rao said, “MIM goons fired on a ‘gau rakshak’ named Prashanth Kumar alias Sonu near Ghatkesar. He is in serious condition…This incident was carried out by the MIM goons to discourage the BJP and the RSS workers from taking part in gau raksha and to protect the cows.”

However, police, based on preliminary investigation, said the victim was called by three-four persons to a place on the pretext of giving information on “transportation of cows” and when he reached there, one of them opened fire on him, resulting in injuries.

The accused were identified and taken into custody, police further said.

The injured person has been shifted to a hospital.

Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy and BJP Lok Sabha MP Etala Rajender, Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao, visited Prashanth in the hospital.

Rajender said the Congress government should take full responsibility for the incident. Rao strongly condemned the incident and demanded the state government to initiate stern action against the accused, PTI reported.

He alleged that Prashanth was attacked by an AIMIM worker with gun and the bullet is stuck in his liver. "His condition is serious and doctors are trying their level best to save him," he said.

Further investigation is on.