Cattle-related incidents trigger panic in two areas

Incidents related to cattle triggered panic in two different areas of the Capital on Monday, even as the nation remained involved in the "save the cow" debate.

In the first incident, rumours about beef being sold spread in east Delhi's Shahdara district. The police were swift to act on the call and prevent clashes. It was later revealed that the meat was buffalo's, and had been procured from an illegal slaughterhouse.

"Since it was procured from an illegal slaughterhouse, the shop owner trying to sell it was fined Rs 10,000," a senior police officer said. He further said the shop was not shut down but the municipal corporation issued a challan.

"All efforts are being made to make sure that meat from illegal slaughterhouses is not available in the market," the MCD Spokesperson said.

In another incident reported from west Delhi's Paschim Vihar area, a van loaded with cows was intercepted after a local informed the police at 2.17 am.

As a police team rushed to the location, the occupants of the vehicle started speeding. Another PCR van was then called for assistance. Left with no option, the driver rammed into the police barricade and then sped in another direction. In a bid to escape, it hit another police vehicle.

The occupants of the vehicle then fired two-three rounds at the police, and later again banged into another car.

"ASI Subash fired three shots at the tempo, deflating one of its tyres. The police later apprehended Shahid, 24, and Umar, 25, hailing from Mewat in Haryana," DCP (PCR) Monika Bhardwaj said. A country-made pistol and 10 live cartridges were recovered from their possession and five cows were rescued from the tempo.

A case under appropriate sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 25/27 Arms Act, and Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960, was registered. The cows were sent to a Gaushala.