In Agartala, capital of the northeastern state of Tripura, seven people were arrested on Wednesday (7 November) in connection with two cases for slaughtering cows in the open. Based on the prima-facie evidence, two people from Mullapara were arrested, later granted bail. The accused have been identified as Hossen Mian and Chotan Mian.

Later on, five brick kiln workers at Sabroom were arrested, them being identified as Md Fajal Haque, Suman Mian, Joynal Abedin, Md Abdul Jalal, Saiful Islam. The report quoted a police official as saying that the five arrested youths were charged under Section 429 of the IPC which pertains to “killing or maiming cattle. The arrests were made at Rupaicherri in Sabroom region, the carcass was seized from a rubber plantation nearby.

The police officer also reportedly said that the incident took place on Diwali which led to religious sentiments being hurt. This prompted a police complaint which resulted in subsequent arrests.

In response, the president of Tripura Jamiat Ulema Hind Mufti Tayebur Rahaman claimed that there is no beef ban in the state and it does not have slaughterhouses.