Nine individuals were arrested by the Saroornagar police in connection with the assault on cattle transporters and police personnel near Kothapet crossroads in the early hours of May 12.

The incident was reported around 1.45 a.m. when a group of persons unlawfully stopped a DCM vehicle carrying eight bulls and their owners. The cattle were being transported for a film shoot at Purani Haveli in Hyderabad.

Police said the group suspected that the animals were being taken for slaughter and restrained the occupants of the vehicle, abused and assaulted them, and later attacked police personnel who reached the spot after receiving information about the disturbance.

Officials said that while police were shifting the DCM vehicle and the cattle to a goshala at Fathullaguda for safe custody, some members of the group followed the vehicle on two-wheelers. Near the Chaitanyapuri u-turn, they overtook and stopped the DCM before pelting stones at the vehicle and the police team escorting it.

Several police personnel, including an inspector, sustained injuries in the attack and the vehicle was also damaged.

The nine accused were apprehended, produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.

Efforts are under way to identify and arrest the remaining accused involved in the incident.

Police officials also stated that seven police check-posts have been functioning round the clock across the Malkajgiri Commissionerate limits since May 7. The public has been urged to share information related to cattle transportation with police instead of taking the law into their own hands or spreading rumours.

Authorities warned that strict action would be taken against anyone involved in unlawful activities, attacks on public servants, obstruction of police duties or disturbing public peace and tranquillity.