In the Satrikh police station area of Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, police arrested seven individuals involved in cow smuggling and slaughter on December 8, 2024. The accused, posing as Hindu gaurakshaks by wearing saffron scarves and sporting tilaks on their foreheads, had been operating with impunity in the region.
The gang, led by Umar, adopted this deceptive guise to evade suspicion and the police after facing legal troubles in the past.
Acting on a tip-off, the police launched a raid in a forested area near Satrikh, where the suspects were reportedly preparing for cow slaughter. Upon arriving at the scene, officers encountered a group of men with vehicles and a cow tied nearby.
The smugglers opened fire on the police, leading to an exchange of gunfire. Two of the suspects, Sarwar and Gufran, sustained gunshot injuries to their legs and were apprehended along with their accomplices. The remaining five arrested were identified as Ankul, Umar, Navijan, Irfan, and Aziz. All the accused hail from Barabanki and Sitapur districts.
The police recovered a cache of items used in smuggling and slaughter operations, including:
- Two pistols and ammunition
- A chopping tool intended for cow slaughter
- An Eco car and a motorcycle
- A live cow
स्वाट/सर्विलांस व थाना सतरिख #barabankipolice की संयुक्त टीम द्वारा पुलिस मुठभेड़ में 02 घायल सहित कुल 07 गौ तस्करों को किया गया गिरफ्तार, कब्जे से अवैध तमंचा, कारतूस व घटना में प्रयुक्त 02 अदद चार पहिया वाहन, 01 अदद मोटर साइकलि व अन्य सामान बरामद –#UPPolice pic.twitter.com/BpLxRmjbSV
— Barabanki Police (@Barabankipolice) December 9, 2024
Investigations revealed that the gang specifically targeted cows from nearby villages. Their leader, Umar, would sit prominently in the vehicle, wearing saffron attire, carrying a trishul, and applying tilak to project an image of a devout gaurakshak. This strategy allowed the group to pass through checkpoints and avoid scrutiny from locals and authorities.
The gang has a history of criminal activities, with 14 cases registered against them, predominantly related to cow smuggling and slaughter. Police officials believe that their disguise was a calculated response to past arrests and scrutiny.
New cases have now been filed under various sections of the law, and the police are reopening old cases linked to the gang.
Barabanki Superintendent of Police (SP) stated, “This gang’s modus operandi is a stark reminder of the lengths criminals will go to evade the law. Their use of religious symbols to disguise their illegal activities is particularly reprehensible. We are committed to ensuring justice and will be tracing the full extent of their smuggling network.”
The police are also investigating whether the gang had connections with other smuggling rings in the region and are tracing the origin of the cows involved.
The arrests have sparked outrage among local residents, with many condemning the gang’s misuse of religious symbols. A local activist, speaking on the matter, said, “It’s shocking to see such brazen criminality. Using religion as a cover to smuggle cows not only hurts sentiments but also erodes trust within communities.”
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