Situation tense in Mainpuri after suspected cow slaughter rumor
Rumours of cow slaughter led to violence in Karhal town of Mainpuri on Friday. Police had to resort to firing to control the mob that went on a rampage, burning vehicles and shops, after rumours that two butchers had been spotted slaughtering a cow spread like wildfire in the region.
The villagers reportedly caught hold of the butchers — Lalla and Shafiq — and physically assaulted them before police arrived.
As police tried to take away the duo, villagers tried to stop the police jeep and drag the two out. The police jeep was also targeted, said reports. Police control room was informed and additional force were sent in. It was alleged that a cow, which was grazing in a field near the village, was whisked away for slaughter and its skin was being removed in a house when some villagers barged in, the police said.
Sub-Divisinal Magistrate of Karhal, Vijay Pratap said it would be known only after post mortem if a cow was slaughtered as was being alleged by some persons, or the skin of a dead cow was being removed.
District Magistrate Chandrapal Singh said that two persons have been arrested and more arrests would follow.
The situation was under control and DIG, DM and SP were camping at Karhal with heavy police force.