8 heads of cattle found dead in Amritsar, owner arrested

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 18

Panic gripped the Hathi Gate and Durgiana Temple areas when five cows, two oxen and a calf were found dead on Monday. According to information, they were poisoned.

Police teams were immediately deputed at the two places to control the situation. A medical board has been set up to conduct the postmortem.

The cattle belonged to Surinder Kumar, who was taken into custody. Prem Lata, mother of Surinder Kumar, said they called a veterinary doctor who treated the animals but they could not survive. The incident created resentment among some Hindu organisations. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police JS Walia urged them to keep calm and maintain law and order. He said investigation was underway to ascertain truth behind the death of the animals. “As the cattle belonged to only one person, there is a suspicion that the incident may be an outcome of personal enmity or it could be a mischievous act to deteriorate the peaceful atmosphere in the city. We are looking into all angles,” he said. Walia said two cases had been registered against unknown persons in this regard.

Meanwhile, Hindu organisations have given an ultimatum of two days to the police to arrest the culprits behind the incident.