24 held for killing over 60 cows and oxen in MP's Seoni; conspiracy hatched in Nagpur, say cops
Bhopal, Jun 30: Police have arrested 24 persons in connection with the killing of more than 60 bovine animals, including cows, in Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh last week, officials said on Friday.
Eight of the arrested accused are from Nagpur, where the conspiracy to kill these animals was hatched to whip up communal frenzy, the police said.
Carcasses of 18 cows with their necks slit were found in Vainganga river near Pindrai village in Seoni, while those of 28 cows and oxen were found in Kakartala forest area under Dhuma police station limits in the district on June 19 and 20. More such carcasses were found in the district later.
"Police have so far arrested a total of 24 persons in this connection. The accused persons were assigned the job of killing the bovine animals in return for money and local residents (of Seoni) were also found to be involved in the crime," a police official said.
"The Police Headquarters in Bhopal was also monitoring the case as the incident was aimed at disrupting the communal harmony, and it had directed its personnel to ensure the arrest of those involved in this inhuman act," he said.
During the probe, the police initially registered a case against the unidentified accused under the Madhya Pradesh Govansh Vadh Pratishedh Adhiniyam, 2004 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 in this regard, he said, adding that acting on the leads, the police first arrested Wahid Khan and his six associates.
During their questioning, they revealed that Khan made arrangements for the killing of bovine animals on the instructions of one Nagpur-based Israr Ahmed in exchange for a hefty amount of money, the official said.
Israr and his associates reached Seoni on June 17 and then they roped in Sana-ur-Rehman, Abdul Karim and Rafiq Khan also for the job by offering them money, he said.
The police arrested Israr and during his questioning, he told them that he had chalked out the plan to kill cows with the help of his associates.
After the carcasses of cows and oxen were found last week, it was suspected that these domestic animals were killed by smugglers amid stern action being taken by the police to curb the menace of cow smuggling in the district.
Seoni shares its border with Nagpur in Maharashtra where cow slaughter is forbidden by law like in Madhya Pradesh.
Inspector General of Police (Jabalpur zone) Anil Singh Kushwaha earlier said a total of 62 bovine animals - 19 cows and 43 oxen - were killed in Seoni.
Investigation suggested that slaughtering of these animals was aimed at whipping up communal frenzy, he said.
The police probe has revealed that Israr, a resident of Mominpura area in Nagpur, had paid Rs 30,000 as advance amount to the main accused Wahid Khan (28), against whom the National Security Act (NSA) has been invoked for gathering the bovine animals in Seoni, according to Kushwaha.
Late Saturday night, the MP government shunted out Seoni collector Kshitij Singhal and SP Rakesh Kumar Singh following the recovery of animal carcasses.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Five children die at Indore shelter home over three days, 31 hospitalised
Indore, July 2: As many as five children have died at a shelter home here over the last three days while 31 other inmates have been hospitalised, prompting the Madhya Pradesh government to order a high-level inquiry.
While the exact reasons for the deaths were yet to be ascertained, food poisoning could be among the causes, a doctor said.
More than 204 children, including orphans and those suffering from mental ailments, were housed at `Bal Ashram' shelter home of Shri Yugpurush Dham, NGO, in Malharganj police station limits, an official said.
A sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) was transferred after a video showing him laughing during a probe into the deaths surfaced on social media.
While Shubh (8) died on Sunday after suffering from seizures, Karan (12), Akash (7), Chhota Govind (5) and Rani (11) died over the last two days, officials said.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Alok Kumar Sharma said the exact cause of deaths will be known once post-mortem reports arrive.
A total of 31 children are admitted to the Government Chacha Nehru Children's Hospital at present.
Hospital superintendent Dr Preeti Malpani said the children started vomiting and suffering from diarrhea after dinner on Monday night.
"At first glance, it seems their health deteriorated due to food poisoning," she said.
Indore district collector Ashish Singh visited the hospital.
"According to the doctors, it appears to be a case of food poisoning. A team led by the additional district magistrate and including doctors and officials of the food department has been sent to Bal Ashram for investigation," Singh said.
Following the uproar caused by the death of children, a joint team of various departments of the administration reached Bal Ashram and started an investigation.
Additional district magistrate Rajendra Singh Raghuvanshi said a detailed investigation of the shelter was underway.
"Appropriate action will be taken if the investigation finds any negligence on the part of its directors," he said.
A team from the food department also collected samples of food and foodstuffs from the ashram and sent them for testing.
The management of Shri Yugpurush Dham has written to the Child Welfare Committee, claiming that ten of its inmates have "blood infection". The administration has not yet verified the claim, it was stated.
Meanwhile, a video showing sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Omnarayan Singh Badkul purportedly laughing and joking during the investigation surfaced on social media, drawing strong reactions.
Eyewitnesses said that Badkul was allegedly seen laughing and joking with the principal of the ashram and other officials.
Subsequently, district magistrate Ashish Singh removed Badkul from the post of SDM and posted him at the district election office, sources said.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, in a post on X, condoled the deaths.
"The news of the untimely death of 4 innocent children of Indore's orphanage is heartbreaking. I pray to Baba Mahakal to grant peace to the departed souls and speedy recovery of all the seriously ill children," he stated.
The death of a fifth child was confirmed after the CM posted the message.
A high-level committee has been formed to investigate this tragic incident and the Malharganj SDM has been removed from his post for his insensitive behaviour, he added in the post.
इंदौर के अनाथ आश्रम के 4 मासूम बच्चों के असामयिक निधन का समाचार ह्रदय विदारक है।
— Dr Mohan Yadav (@DrMohanYadav51) July 2, 2024
मैं बाबा महाकाल से दिवंगत बच्चों की आत्मा को शांति प्रदान करने तथा गंभीर रूप से बीमार सभी बच्चों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की प्रार्थना करता हूँ।
कैबिनेट में साथी श्री @tulsi_silawat जी मौके पर पहुंच…
