Security officer N K Parekh suffered minor bruises on the right hand and a watchman was also injured. The rabaris, three to four members of a family, are believed to have attacked them with lathis.

Sources in the security department said the rabaris took advantage of loneliness of Parekh and other two officers. While the police were with the team which was impounding cattle, Parekh had gone a little further to catch more cattle on the Saint Kabir Road around 5 p.m.

The staff had to leave the operation half way and come to the Khanderao Market to report the matter to higher authorities. By that time around 13 stray cows were impounded.

One of the security officers said lodging complaint against the rabaris was of no use as they were released soon. One A Ghadge had attacked Parekh and the watchman, a security officer said and added that seven complaints had already been lodged against the same person.

Express Newsline (November 23), had highlighted the problem of stray cattle menace and the political pressures brought by the rabaris, resulting in the need to find a permanent solution rather than impounding cattle.

South Zone office : After launching the North Zone office on August 15, the VMC is all set to open its South Zone office in ward number 4 (D) Sindhwai Mata Road in the first week of December.

Municipal Commissioner G R Aloria, Deputy Municipal Commissioners H S Patel and I B Peerzada discussed preliminary matters for the organisational set up on Monday.

According to sources, infrastrucutre facilities have been provided and the delegation of powers are expected to be done in a day or two.

The zonal system introduced on the lines of Ahmedabad and Surat civic bodies aimed at redressing grievances of people effectively.

Fined: Rs 7,000 was collected as fine from persons for littering the streets. The fine was collected from ward office 10 (J) Subhanpura.

The staff also removed 18 unauthorised handcarts and collected miscellaneous items sold by patharawalas between Amrakunj Guest House and Race Course ST Depot.