Cow slaughter: Bandh in MP towns

Bhopal, Jan 6 (UNI) Prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC were imposed in Mandsaur town, while at least six towns in western Madhya Pradesh were observing 'bandh' today to protest slaughter of about 100 cows, whose carcasses were found in abandoned slate pencil mines at Pithyakhedi village near here on Thursday.

Tension prevailed in Mandsaur town as few miscreants resorted to stoning vehicles damaging glasspanes in Purani Mandi area this morning. In the wake of stone-pelting, prohibitory orders were clamped, Mandsaur Collector Nitesh Vyas said.

Besides Jaora town in Ratlam district, Sitamau, Suvasara, Nahargarh, Narayangarh and Malhargarh towns are observing general strike today.

At Jaora, various Hindu outfits supported the bandh called by Bajrang Dal. Minor incidents of stone throwing at vehicles were reported and the markets observed shut down. Additional security personnel were deployed in view of the violent incidents and bandh supporters moving in the town, official sources said.

Mandsaur town observed bandh yesterday, when stoning and other violent incidents were reported and a total of 29 people detained.

Meanwhile, five people were detained under the National Security Act and lodged in Mandsaur jail after the carcasses of cows were recovered. They were identified as Abdul Rehman Makdi, Rafiq, Farooq, Abid and Dilawar.

Sub-Inspector Chandrasekhar Upadhyaya and Havildar S B Singh of Yashodharman police station were suspended while departmental inquiry initiated against City Superintendent of Police Amar Singh Baskel and Police Station Incharge Abhinav Shukla for laxity, Indore Range IG Varun Kapoor said.

Madhya Pradesh has already enacted legislation banning cow slaughter.

UNI