A truck allegedly transporting around five tonnes of beef was set ablaze near Kudachi, around 100 km from Belagavi in Karnataka, late on Monday evening. The police have registered two cases in connection with the incident.
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According to the police, locals intercepted the truck heading to Kalaburagi on suspicion of carrying beef. The vehicle was waylaid near the Sri Siddeshwara Temple, located on Ugar Road at Ainapur in Athani taluk of the district. While checking the contents of the vehicle, the locals allegedly found meat and the truck was set on fire.
By the time the police arrived at the scene, the truck was gutted, the police said. Firefighters from Ugar Sugar Factory and the fire brigade from Athani taluk were rushed to the spot to extinguish the blaze.
Bhimashankar Guled, Superintendent of Police, Belagavi, said the first case in connection with the incident was registered against three people involved in transporting the meat. “This was registered under provisions of the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The main accused in the case was arrested at Kalaburgi,” Guled said.
The second case, pertaining to the torching of the truck, was registered under sections related to arson, theft, and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Five people have been detained in this case, the police said.
A police investigation is underway.