A government official in Telangana’s Nirmal district was assaulted by cow vigilantes on March 17 while carrying official files wrapped in a saffron-colored cloth. The victim, Abdul Wakeel, an employee of the Mandal Revenue Office (MRO) in Tanoor, was attacked by seven men in Bhainsa town. The local police arrested four suspects—Raju, Prakash, Sai, and Polishetty—who were identified as members of the Hindu Vahini, a right-wing group. They were booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, assaulting a public servant, and inciting communal hatred. Three other accused individuals are still at large, and authorities are conducting further investigations.

Bhainsa has a long history of communal tensions, with multiple violent incidents reported over the years. In 2021, clashes erupted between two communities over an argument involving a bike rider, which escalated into stone-pelting, arson, and destruction of vehicles and small businesses. Similarly, in 2020, widespread violence led to the torching of homes and injuries to several people, including police officers. Earlier, in 2018, a religious procession turned violent, resulting in large-scale arson and property damage. These recurring incidents have strained law enforcement and disrupted communal harmony in the town, making it a hotspot for sectarian violence.

Authorities have assured strict action against the accused and heightened security in Bhainsa to prevent further escalation. The attack on Wakeel has sparked outrage, with activists and officials condemning the act as an assault on public servants performing their duties. The Telangana government is expected to review security measures in sensitive areas, as repeated communal flare-ups continue to pose a challenge to peace and order in the region.