Disrespect of any religion will not be tolerated, Punjab AAP CM candidate Bhagwant Mann has said while strongly condemning the cow slaughter in Hoshiarpur.
Bhagwant Mann ordered the police to find the culprits as soon as possible and take strict action against them.
Carcasses of at least 19 cows were found in an abandoned place near a railway line near the village of Jhans, about 36 km from Hoshiarpur, on Saturday morning.
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Mann said, “We will not allow peace and brotherhood in Punjab to deteriorate at any cost. Attempts by anti-social elements to disturb the peace in Punjab will not succeed.”
He added, “Maintaining peace and brotherhood in the state is our priority. All culprits involved in the incident will soon be arrested.
Meanwhile, a two-member committee has been set up by the Punjab Gau Sewa Commission to investigate the incident and it will submit its report within seven days.
Police Superintendent (Investigation) Mukhtiar Rai said headless carcasses of at least 19 cows were found in an abandoned spot near the railway line.
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A dozen jute bags filled with potatoes were also found at the scene.
Police say unidentified people dumped the cows and burlap sacks full of potatoes there on Friday night. After slaughtering the cows, they removed their hides, police said.
These carcasses were spotted by some residents who informed the Tanda police station.
As the news spread in the area, large numbers of people from nearby areas and activists from Hindu groups including the Shiv Sena and the Bajrang Dal gathered at the spot.
Activists led by Ranjit Rana and Prince Katna, both Punjab Vice Presidents of Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray), former Punjab Minister and BJP Head of State Tikshan South, staged a dharna and blocked the traffic on Jalandhar-Pathankot GT road in Tanda in protest. against the incident.
The region’s newly elected MPP Jasvir Singh Raja and former Punjab minister Sangat Singh Gilzian also visited the scene.
Later, at 3:30 p.m., Dasua SDM Randeep Singh and the SP told protesters that a matter under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Section 295-A (willful and malicious acts , intended to outrage religious feelings) of the IPC was registered against the unknowns.
Protesters lifted the blockade after police assured them of the arrest of those behind the incident.
(With PTI inputs)
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