Gorakhpur youth ‘chasing cow smugglers’ killed; several cops suspended

The incident took place in Chhatradhari village, which falls under the jurisdiction of Pipraich police station, the police said, identifying the deceased as Deepak Gupta.

According to police, early on

Tuesday morning, villagers spotted a group of alleged cattle smugglers entering their area in two pickup vans. When locals raised an alarm and tried to chase them, one of the vehicles got stuck on a narrow road, forcing its occupants to abandon the van and flee. While locals managed to catch one of the alleged cattle smugglers, Gupta pursued the second vehicle.

Later, Gupta’s body was found approximately 5 km away from the village. While locals alleged that he was shot dead, the police said that the cause of death would be ascertained after the post-mortem is conducted.

Authorities confirmed that no firearm injuries were found on Gupta’s body, and suspect that the alleged cattle smugglers forced him into their van and later pushed him out of the moving vehicle, causing fatal injuries to his head.

“Efforts are underway to apprehend those involved in the incident,” Raj Karan Nayyar, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Gorakhpur, said.

Following the incident, the villagers assaulted the man they had caught, injuring him. He is currently receiving treatment under police custody.

The villagers called off their protest after senior police officers assured them that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.

The post-mortem report confirmed that the death was caused by “coma resulting from antemortem head injury”.

SSP Nayyar suspended the in-charge of Jungle Dhooshan police outpost along with the entire staff posted there, with immediate effect for “gross negligence, indifference and arbitrariness in the discharge of their duties.” A departmental inquiry has been ordered against them, police said.

Nayyar said a five-member police team has been constituted to nab the accused. So far, six persons have been identified. Initial findings suggest that the assailants were cattle smugglers, he said.

Later in the day, the UP Police said in a statement that since January last year till date, a total of 699 cases of cow slaughter have been registered across the state, leading to the arrest of 2,279 accused, while 539 others surrendered.

The police added that among the accused booked in cow slaughter cases, action was taken against 539 accused under the Goonda Act, six under the National Security Act (NSA), and history-sheets were opened against 467 persons. Moreover, Proceedings were also initiated against 781 accused under the Gangsters Act, under which properties worth over Rs 9 crore were confiscated under Section 14(1).

However, during the same period, since January last year, 1,200 cases of cow smuggling were registered across the state, resulting in the arrest of 2,709 accused, while 568 others surrendered.

Action was taken against 476 accused under the Goonda Act, nine under the National Security Act (NSA) and history-sheets were opened against 288 persons. Proceedings were also initiated against 1,328 accused under the Gangsters Act, leading to the confiscation of properties worth over Rs 9 crore under Section 14(1) of the Act.

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