Belagavi (Karnataka), Sep 23 (NationPress) A shocking event has unfolded in Belagavi district, Karnataka, where cow vigilantes set ablaze a truck reportedly transporting cow meat. This incident took place at Ainapura village near Kagawad town on Monday night and was revealed on Tuesday.

The police have arrested three individuals linked to the alleged illegal transportation of what is claimed to be cow meat and detained ten others on charges of arson and robbery.

Authorities stated that the meat was being transported from Kudachi town in Raibag taluk to Hyderabad in Telangana.

Initial investigations indicate that local residents halted the vehicle at Ainapura village, assaulted the driver, and locked him up before handing him over to the police.

Afterward, the cow vigilantes set fire to the truck, which was carrying approximately seven quintals of meat. They claimed that even after intercepting the truck and notifying the police, help arrived too late. Villagers reported calling the police helpline at 9:30 P.M., yet the Kagawad police did not arrive until 11:30 P.M.

Frustrated by the delay, the cow vigilantes took matters into their own hands and torched the vehicle along with its cargo. Following initial investigations, the police detained ten villagers on charges of arson, robbery, and atrocity. Security measures have been heightened in Ainapura village.

The Kagwad police have made three arrests related to the illegal meat transportation. The main suspect was apprehended in Kalaburagi city. The offenders have been charged under the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

Further investigations are being conducted by the Kagawad police.

Recently, the Bantwal Rural police charged three individuals under the Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act (KCOCA) after uncovering their involvement in two cattle theft and slaughter cases.

The suspects were identified as Irshad, 34, from Chembugudde, Mohammed Mansoor, 48, from Kudroli in Mangaluru, and Abdul Azeem, 18, from Kannur in Mangaluru.

These three were arrested on September 5 for their alleged roles in cattle theft and slaughter, reported at the Bantwal Rural Police Station on August 14. They were also implicated in another cattle theft case reported at the Uppinangady police station on September 4.

As a result, a case was filed against the trio under the KCOCA, according to a police press release.

Earlier, the Karnataka Police arrested two individuals for allegedly slaughtering cows and disposing of their carcasses in a forest area in Bhatkal town of Karwar district, officials disclosed last Thursday.

The arrested suspects, identified as Mohammad Saman (19) and Mohammad Raheen (20), both residents of Bhatkal, were apprehended following a complaint from a forest officer.

Consequently, an offence was registered at the Bhatkal Shahar Police Station under the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020.