Protests erupt after meat pieces found near eidgah in Mathura; 11 arrested

The suspected beef was discovered in Govardhan. In a separate incident in Mant, the recovery of a burnt cow carcass on Yamuna Expressway service road also led to protests by Hindu activists

Mathura: Pieces of meat, suspected to be beef, were found in an empty plot near an eidgah on Barsana Road in Mathura district, sparking protests by members of several right-wing outfits, police said on Sunday.

The suspected beef was discovered in the Govardhan area on Saturday night. In a separate incident in the Mant area of the district, the recovery of a burnt cow carcass on the Yamuna Expressway service road also led to protests by Hindu activists.

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An FIR was registered in the Barsana Road incident under various sections of the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act against 24 named individuals and 50 unidentified persons, police said.

“Locals alleged it was cow meat. The samples have been sent to a forensic laboratory for examination,” said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shlok Kumar.

Kumar said that after receiving information about the incident near the Eidgah late Saturday evening, members of the Gorakshak Dal and some Hindu organisations gathered at the site and began protesting.

“We reached the spot and pacified the crowd. An FIR has been registered against 24 named and 50 unnamed individuals. Strict action will be taken against the culprits,” the SSP added. Based on CCTV footage, police arrested 11 suspects who were later sent to jail.

The arrested individuals were identified as Saqir, Sohil, Intezaar, Ansar, Pintu, Asin, Sunny, Usman, Firoz, Farukh, and Shekhar — all residents of Jain Gali, Govardhan.

Police said two knives, two axes, horns, and animal skin kept in a sack were recovered from their possession. The accused allegedly slaughtered an animal belonging to the cow family in the empty plot, after which locals found the animal’s head and meat pieces scattered at the scene.

In the Mant area, Hindu activists staged a protest following the discovery of a burnt cow carcass. Mant Circle Officer Gunjan Singh said some Hindu activists demanded an FIR in the matter.

According to police, locals claimed the cow’s body had been lying there for two to three days before someone set it on fire on Saturday. A complaint was filed by local BJP leader Ashok Saraswat on behalf of the Radharani Gauseva Trust.

Mant Police Station SHO Jasbir Singh said the remains of the cow carcass were cremated, and efforts are underway to identify those present near the scene.