MAPUSA
Two persons were arrested for allegedly slaughtering a cow and committing theft of a calf at Xell in Siolim-Sodiem, late Saturday night, after locals apprehended the alleged accused, beat them up and later handed them over to the police.
The suspects who have been arrested are identified as Athanas Lakda (30) and Manbatal Ikka (20), both natives of Chhattisgarh.
According to complainant, Rajendra Morajkar, on the intervening night of March 8 and 9 his 10-year-old cow and a one-year-old calf which were tied in a field near his house were found missing.
The complainant also alleged that the suspects got together and slaughtered the cow while the calf was missing.
Mapusa SDPO Jivba Dalvi informed that CCTV footage from the area shows that the accused were involved in the criminal activity.
He said on interrogation both the accused admitted the commission of crime.
“The chopper used in killing the animal is attached,” Dalvi informed.
An FIR under Section 429, 379, R/W 34 IPC and section 11(1) (i) of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act has been registered against the duo.
Both the accused were produced before JMFC, Mapusa which has remanded them to one day Police Custody.
Meanwhile, police sources informed that the suspect used to live on rent near the complainant's house. Both have been living in Goa for the past one-and-a-half-year and are working as labourers.
Further investigation is on.
