Himachal Pradesh Police on Saturday intensified its operation to arrest villagers who lynched an alleged cattle smuggler in a fit of rage in Sirmaur district two days back.
Noman Akhtar, a resident of Saharanpur district in Uttar Pradesh, who was allegedly smuggling cattle along with four others, was beaten to death on Wednesday at a village some 28 km from Nahan town, the district headquarters.
His accomplices, who also got injuries in the incident, have been hospitalised at Sarhan in the district.
“The search operation is on to arrest the accused,” Superintendent of Police Somya Sambasivan said
She said a murder case has been registered. “We will arrest the accused soon. It is probable that the people who alerted the police about the illegal cattle transportation might have killed Noman,” she added.
The police have booked Noman’s accomplices – Gulzar, Gulfam, Mohammad Nishu and Salman – under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act.