By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 6 Sep: Sources claimed that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed the police administration to strictly prevent cases of cattle slaughter in districts adjoining Uttar Pradesh, particularly Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar. The CM is learnt to have asserted that there is no place for cattle killers in Devbhoomi. Taking serious note of fresh incidents of cattle slaughter reported in Haridwar district, he, on Saturday, reminded the officials that Uttarakhand has a strong cow protection law in place and effective legal action must be taken against those indulging in such activities. Dhami observed that recent reports suggesting that cattle smugglers from Uttar Pradesh are carrying out clandestine slaughter in the state are deeply concerning, and such activities will not be tolerated by the government under any circumstances.
According to Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pramendra Dobhal, since the enforcement of the cow protection law, Haridwar police have engaged in 11 encounters with cattle smugglers. The legal proceedings under the Gangsters Act have been initiated against nine accused, and history sheets of 18 cattle smugglers have been opened. During this period, 168 cattle have been rescued from illegal slaughter. He further stated that while several accused involved in cattle killings are still absconding, efforts are underway to arrest them. In addition, consistent checking is being carried out along the Uttar Pradesh border as per government directives.
It may be recalled that on Friday, in a breakthrough, the Ganganahar Kotwali police of Roorkee town achieved success during a raid in Safarpur village. Following a tip-off regarding cattle slaughter, police raided a vacant plot belonging to a man named Gulsher. There, they caught three individuals red-handed, including Husn Jahan, wife of Gulsher, Mir Jahan, wife of Gulzar, and Istkar, son of Mohammad Umar, all residents of Safarpur. However, five other cow smugglers managed to flee the spot upon seeing the police. Significantly, from the location, police recovered 950 kilos of beef along with equipment used for slaughter.
Speaking about this case during an informal chat with the media persons, SSP Dobhal said that police had received information that Gulsher, along with his family members, was openly carrying out cattle slaughter in the abandoned plot. Reports also indicated that three cows had already been slaughtered, and preparations were underway to kill another when the raid was conducted. The police arrested the three accused on the spot, rescued one live cow, and seized 950 kilos of beef along with slaughtering tools. Cases have been registered against all involved under the cow protection law, and further legal action is being initiated.
