NSA invoked against four for allegedly throwing cow body parts into temple in Madhya Pradesh's Jaora

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Amid religious tensions that erupted after body parts of a bovine animal were found on temple premises in Madhya Pradesh's Jaora town, the local police have informed that the NSA has been invoked against the accused detained in the case.

Additional Superintendent of Police Rakesh Khakha informed that the stringent National Security Act was slapped against the four accused identified in the case as Salman Mevati (24), Shakir Qureshi (19), Noshad Qureshi (40), and Shahrukh Sattar (25).

Speaking of the incident, Khakha said, "Mevati and Qureshi were held on Friday while Noshad and Sattar were arrested on Thursday. Noshad has 20 cases against him and has also been externed once from the district."

Meanwhile, it is pertinent to note that the security situation has intensified as massive protests broke out earlier on the streets of Jaora town following the incident. Hundreds of protesters took to the streets and demanded strict action against the accused involved in the incident while calling for a Jaora bandh. Significantly, as the protest turned violent, the police had to resort to a lathicharge to disperse the crowd. Further, a large number of policemen have been deployed on the spot to prevent any further escalation.

About the incident:

The incident came to light after the priest of the Jagannath Mahadev temple located in Jaora town of Ratlam district reached the temple in the morning and spotted the bleeding head of a cow’s calf on the campus. He immediately informed the police and local residents.

The police said, four persons were subsequently arrested after a complaint was filed under various Indian Penal Code sections for hurting religious sentiments and other offenses.

"An attempt was made to disrupt the peace and harmony of the area. However, timely measures prevented any flare-up. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had asked the police and administration to take strict action," Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Manoj Kumar Singh said.

Further, the police also informed that the illegal portions of the houses of the accused have been pulled down by the local administration.

In the wake of the incident, Jaora's Shahar Qazi Hafiz Bhuru had also appealed to the people through a letter to maintain peace and harmony in the town.