In a dramatic turn of events in Meerut, a father and son accused in a cow slaughter case were injured in a police encounter after they allegedly opened fire on officers. The incident occurred on Wednesday when the duo was being taken to recover the tools used in the crime.
Police Operation Turns Violent
According to officials from the Parikshitgarh police station area, the suspects, identified as 47-year-old Razzaq and his 22-year-old son Usman, were in police custody. They were being escorted to a location to retrieve the implements allegedly used for slaughtering cows when the situation escalated.
The police team was led to sugarcane fields near a forested area in Jhabhapuri, where the tools were reportedly hidden. It was at this point, officials stated, that the accused opened fire on the police personnel. The police retaliated, resulting in both Razzaq and Usman sustaining gunshot wounds to their legs. They were subsequently taken to a community health centre for medical treatment.
Arrests and Recovery of Evidence
This encounter followed a series of arrests made on Tuesday. Police had acted on a tip-off and raided a house in Asifabad. Approximately 10 kilograms of meat, suspected to be beef, was recovered from the premises. The meat samples have been sent for forensic testing, with results expected in about two weeks.
In total, seven individuals were arrested in connection with the case. Among those taken into custody are Razzaq, his son Usman, and Razzaq's wife. During interrogation, the suspects reportedly disclosed the location of the slaughter tools.
Weapons and Slaughter Implements Seized
Following the encounter, police conducted a search and successfully recovered the hidden items. The haul included two country-made pistols, knives, and other tools specifically used for cow slaughter. The recovery of firearms added a serious dimension to the case, indicating potential links to other criminal activities.
Meerut (Rural) Superintendent of Police, Abhijeet Kumar, confirmed the sequence of events. He emphasized that the police action was based on specific intelligence and that the investigation is ongoing to uncover the full network involved in the alleged illegal slaughter.
Legal Proceedings and Community Impact
The case has been registered under relevant sections of the law pertaining to cow slaughter and the Arms Act. The incident has sparked discussions in the local community regarding law enforcement and the illegal cattle trade. The injured accused remain under police guard while receiving medical care, and all seven arrested individuals are facing legal proceedings.
This event in Meerut highlights the ongoing challenges police face in tackling cases of illegal slaughter, where operations can quickly turn violent. The authorities have assured a thorough investigation as they await the conclusive forensic report on the recovered meat.
