Two people were injured after a mob allegedly attacked them on suspicion of cattle smuggling at Melanthabettu in Belthangady taluk in Karnataka, police said on Thursday.
The victims, identified as Abdul Rahman, a resident of Kuppetty in Belthangady, and Muhammad Mustafa, have been admitted to a government hospital in Mangaluru.
Six persons, identified as Sabu, Rajesh Bhat, Rakesh Bhat, Guruprasad, Lokesh and Chidanand, have been arrested in connection with the case, police said.
The incident took place when the victims were returning home in a pick-up truck after repairing the vehicle at a garage in Church Road on Thursday evening. When they reached Melantabettu gram panchayat office around 10.45 pm, two men arrived on bikes and waylaid them.
Soon, few more men arrived in an Omni car and accused the duo of transporting cattle illegally. They then allegedly hit them brutally with sticks and footwear, the police said. The mob also damaged their vehicle.
A case has been registered at Belthangady police station.