Police arrested a youth in Bijakhaman near Bolangir late Tuesday night for allegedly slaughtering a calf and preparing its meat for distribution.
The incident triggered strong reactions from Bajrang Dal and other Hindu organizations, who expressed deep concern over repeated allegations of cow slaughter and beef trade in the region.
According to reports, the accused was caught red-handed while processing the meat. Local resident Sarbeshwar Rana, who witnessed the act while passing by, immediately alerted Bajrang Dal members and the police. He later claimed that the perpetrators threatened to kill him for reporting the crime.
Adarsha Police Station IIC Avani Sahu reached the spot with her team and arrested a youth named Nanda. Police registered a case and produced the accused in court. Investigations are underway to trace others involved in the incident.
The Bajrang Dal condemned the act and reiterated previous claims of illegal cow slaughter in the area. Activists Kanha Satapathy and Soumyaranjan Mishra stated that the incident confirms long-standing suspicions. They alleged that beef is being supplied to outsiders, including Rohingya settlers, despite cow slaughter being illegal in the state.
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