Mandla: Houses built on government land by 11 persons were demolished in tribal-dominated Mandla in Madhya Pradesh, alleging that they kept beef in their refrigerators, NDTV reported on their news portal. According to the report, quoting police officials on Saturday, the police cracked down on the illegal beef trade and demolished the houses built on government land. This action followed a tip-off regarding a large number of cows held captive for slaughter in the Bhainwahi area of Nainpur, Mandla Superintendent of Police Rajat Saklecha told PTI.

"A team was dispatched, and we discovered 150 cows tied in the backyards of the accused. Cow meat was recovered from the refrigerators in the homes of all 11 accused. Additionally, we found animal fat, cattle skin, and bones stuffed in a room," he said.

"The local government veterinarian has confirmed that the seized meat is beef. We have also sent samples to Hyderabad for secondary DNA analysis. The houses of the 11 accused were demolished as they were on government land," the SP added.

An FIR was registered on Friday night following the recovery of the cows and beef. One of the accused has been arrested, and a hunt is underway for the remaining 10. The 150 cows have been sent to a cattle shelter. "The Bhainwahi area has become a hub of cow smuggling for some time now. Cow slaughter in MP is punishable with a jail term of seven years," Mr. Saklecha noted.

Police sources revealed that the criminal histories of two of the accused have been gathered, and efforts are ongoing to investigate the backgrounds of the remaining individuals. All the accused are Muslims, they added.