25-kg polythene bags, plastic thread found in dead bovines

AMRITSAR: The initial autopsy report of the eight cows, which were found dead in the city on Monday, has raised many questions as around 25 kg of polythene, entangled bunches of Chinese string and traces of calcium carbide, used for fruit ripening, have been found in their stomach.

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 20

The initial autopsy report of the eight cows, which were found dead in the city on Monday, has raised many questions as around 25 kg of polythene, entangled bunches of Chinese string and traces of calcium carbide, used for fruit ripening, have been found in their stomach. Meanwhile, the police are yet to find a clue of the crime perpetrators.

It is pertinent to mention here that there certain godowns and residences involved in chemically ripening of fruits in Hathi Gati and Lohgarh Gate areas where the cows were found dead. Though the dairies are banned inside the Municipal Corporation (MC) limits, herd of the milch cows near Durgiana Temple is not an uncommon sight. Among the usual practices of the cattle owners is freeing of the animals in the evening hours to let them feed on the organic waste in the Lohgarh vegetable market or the garbage dumps. Thus, along with organic waste the animals end up consuming polythene bags as well.

“The owners are concerned only about milk. They don’t feed their cattle properly,” said Manoj Kumar, a resident of the walled city. These animals also become a nuisance on roads.

The first information report (FIR) lodged by the police mentions poisoning as the probable reason behind the death of the cows. It is yet to be ascertained what kind of poison is this.

“The officials concerned have sent the viscera to the forensic lab in Kharar to find the traces of the elements which resulted in the deaths,” said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) JS Walia.

The police scrutinised the close circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed at various points of the area to find clues, if any, about the miscreants who could have done this for disturbing the peace in the city. Till now, the police have not found any clue and further investigation is under progress, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police added.

Though the police haven't got any clue of the perpetrators, the officials concerned are hopeful of getting a lead to make arrests.