Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 12

Activists of several outfits today laid a siege to the Jagraon bridge against the incident of cow slaughter. The activists alleged that despite passing of several days, the Ludhiana Police Commissionerate have failed to trace the accused behind cow slaughtering.

Activists threaten to intensify protest

On November 24, bovine parts were recovered from a garbage dump at Jeevan Nagar. After the incident, many outfits had held protests to seek arrest of culprits. Later, the Police Commissioner had formed a SIT in the matter and a JCP-rank official was made head of the team. The activists gave a 15-day ultimatum to the Ludhiana police for nabbing the culprits, else they would start an indefinite protest in the city, they said.

They also blamed Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and other incumbent MLAs of the Congress for not pressing the police for cracking the case.

The activists had named the protest as ‘Hindu panchayat’. They brought wooden cots (charpai) to sit and discuss issues.

Notably on November 24, bovine parts were recovered from a garbage dump at Jeevan Nagar. After the incident, many outfits had held protests to demand immediate arrest of culprits. Later, the Police Commissioner had formed a special investigation team (SIT) in the matter and a JCP-rank official was made head of the team.

“Now, over two weeks have passed but the police have not arrested the culprits. We urge the state government to announce Rs 51-lakh reward for those who will inform about the culprits who

are behind the incident, “ said Rajiv Tandon, a leader of a outfit.

The activists gave a 15-day ultimatum to the Ludhiana police for nabbing the culprits, else they would start an indefinite protest in the city, they said.

The police had closed the Jagraon bridge from all sides due to the protest. They also diverted the traffic to prevent any jam. However, commuters faced huge inconvenience as they had to take longer routes to reach their destinations.

The protest was started at around 12.30 pm and it was lifted around 3 pm when JCP J Elanchezhian reached the spot and assured the protesters that the police was working on various leads and soon the case would be cracked.