(Rpting correcting name in para 7)

Panchkula, Aug 12 (UNI) A bridegroom, his father and 28 of their relatives were thrashed by villagers and later arrested by police for procuring beef for a marriage feast in Hangoli Maujan village in Panchkula district of Haryana.

The incident occurred after villagers got a tip-off that one Barqat had fetched beef from Naya Gaon in Yamunanagar district for giving a feast to his relatives on the wedding of his son Bachchu.

The villagers set up a naka to prevent the entry of the beef in the village and tracked down two youngmen carrying beef to Barqat's home on a motorcycle early this morning.

The incensed villagers nabbed the duo as soon as they reached Barqat's home, seized the beef and thrashed all the menfolk present there.

They then dragged 30 menfolk of the family to the Raipur Rani police station and began pressurising the police to arrest them.

The villagers raised slogans against the police, tried to block traffic on the Panchkula-Yamunanagar national highway and relented only after all the accused were arrested.

Deputy Commissioner R K Kataria assured the irate villagers that proper action would be taken against the accused.

Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Kherwar said he had informed his Yamunangar counterpart to find out the beef dealer in his district and bring him to book as well.

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