12 bulls meant for ‘slaughter’ rescued

(done)

Aurangabad

: Police rescued two dozen bulls that were reportedly brought for slaughtering from a residential area in the Hazrat Nizamudding Dargah area on Saturday.

In the recent years, this is the first such major raid by the city police against illegally brought animals for slaughter on the occasion of Bakri Eid.

The action was carried out in the second half of Saturday at the residential premises amidst heavy police presence comprising squads of riot control police, striking force, and teams from Jinsi and City Chowk police stations.

Based on a complaint lodged by police sub-inspector Ananta Tangde, an offence was registered against three suspects, but they are yet to be arrested.

A couple of senior inspectors apart from policemen from the detection branch were called to the spot for carrying out the raid to prevent the situation from going out of control, said police.

Inspector Sambhaji Pawar of the City Chowk police said, “The action was taken following a specific tip-off that several bulls were brought and illegally kept in the area.”

The officer said that police are also checking the source of these animals and also people who brought them to the city.

The raid, just a couple of days ahead of Bakri Eid, is being considered a significant one.

A senior police officer said the action has also sent a strong message to those violating the ban in the state on slaughter of cow and its progeny.

Following the action, senior police authorities appealed to citizens to abstain from violating the law.

In March 2015, the Maharashtra government obtained Presidential nod for banning slaughter of cow and progeny. Later, the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act 1976 was amended, which banned the slaughter of animals like cow, ox or bull belonging to cow progeny.

A series of petitions had been filed with the Bombay high court, which upheld the ban on cow slaughter. The court has, however, permitted the consumption and possession of beef.