BHADRAK:(Orissa) Seven cattle traders were arrested in Bhadrak on Thursday for allegedly assaulting senior Bajrang Dal leader Bhupesh Nayak and Go Surakhaya Bahini president Suresh Panda.

The attack came a day after Bajrang Dal and Bahini activists freed 84 cows while they were being transported to West Bengal in a lorry near Shergada square in Balasore district on Wednesday night.
Police said more than 50 cow traders intercepted a four-wheeler in which Panda and Nayak were returning from Balasore and forcefully took the vehicle to Bhadrak town. They allegedly assaulted the duo with sticks, kicks and punches. Police rescued the victims from the assaulters and detained seven. "Both Panda and Nayak have sustained injuries on their heads, chests and faces. We have registered cases against the accused," said IIC-Bhadrak town Suresh Chandra Patra.

Police forces were deployed in sensitive areas of the town to prevent any untoward incident. The IIC said the situation was tense but under control