<p>At least four alleged cattle smugglers transporting a dead buffalo were assaulted by a mob here in the early hours on Wednesday, the police said.</p>.<p>Villagers alleged that the men were caught in village Nagla Mandhata while they were transporting the buffalo's carcass in a pick-up van.</p>.<p>They were, however, rescued by the police who intervened in time, Hasayan SHO Jitendra Kumar said.</p>.<p>The owner of the buffalo alleged that the animal had been poisoned by these cattle smugglers.</p>.<p>Superintendent of Police Sushil Ghule said tough action would be initiated if it was found that they were cattle smugglers.</p>.<p>The incident, which took place before dawn in Hathras district, about 200 km from Delhi, assumes significance as it came against the backdrop of a backlash over the death of a man attacked by cow vigilantes in Rajasthan.</p>.<p>This is the latest in a series of mob attacks that have become quite frequent in various parts of the country.</p>.<p>28-year-old Rakbar Khan died after he was thrashed by a mob at Alwar in Rajasthan on suspicion of cattle smuggling last week.</p>.<p>Khan was attacked by villagers who thought he was smuggling cows. What caused his death was alleged delay by cops in taking him to hospital.</p>
<p>At least four alleged cattle smugglers transporting a dead buffalo were assaulted by a mob here in the early hours on Wednesday, the police said.</p>.<p>Villagers alleged that the men were caught in village Nagla Mandhata while they were transporting the buffalo's carcass in a pick-up van.</p>.<p>They were, however, rescued by the police who intervened in time, Hasayan SHO Jitendra Kumar said.</p>.<p>The owner of the buffalo alleged that the animal had been poisoned by these cattle smugglers.</p>.<p>Superintendent of Police Sushil Ghule said tough action would be initiated if it was found that they were cattle smugglers.</p>.<p>The incident, which took place before dawn in Hathras district, about 200 km from Delhi, assumes significance as it came against the backdrop of a backlash over the death of a man attacked by cow vigilantes in Rajasthan.</p>.<p>This is the latest in a series of mob attacks that have become quite frequent in various parts of the country.</p>.<p>28-year-old Rakbar Khan died after he was thrashed by a mob at Alwar in Rajasthan on suspicion of cattle smuggling last week.</p>.<p>Khan was attacked by villagers who thought he was smuggling cows. What caused his death was alleged delay by cops in taking him to hospital.</p>