Photo: PTI
In Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, police officers allegedly discovered beef in the refrigerators of eleven Muslim households, leading to the demolition of their homes. Claiming that the families were residing on land controlled by the government, the police justified the demolition as a measure against the state's illegal beef trade.
According to Mandla Superintendent of Police Rajat Saklecha, the action was taken following a tip that a big number of cows had been held captive for slaughter in the Bhainwahi area of Nainpur, he told PTI news agency.
“A team was rushed there and we found 150 cows tied in the backyards of the accused. Cow meat was recovered from the refrigerators in the homes of all the11 accused. We also found animal fat, cattle skin and bones, which were stuffed in a room,” he said, Maktoob Media reported.
“The local government veterinarian has confirmed the seized meat is beef. We have also sent samples to Hyderabad for secondary DNA analysis. The houses of the11 accused were demolished as they were on government land,” the SP said.
The senior police official stated that a FIR was filed on Friday night after the cows and beef were found, and that one of the accused has been taken into custody while the other ten are still being pursued.
“The 150 cows have been sent to a cattle shelter. Bhainswahi area had become a hub of cow smuggling for some time now. Cow slaughter in MP is punishable with a jail term of seven years,” the SP added.