At least 40 cows died of suffocation in a small room of a panchayat building where they were allegedly locked in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district, a senior official said on Saturday.
The deaths came to light this morning when villagers experienced a foul odour emanating from the room, and found that some of the cattle had died, said Bilaspur collector Saransh Mittar.
He said a total of 60 cows were locked in a room in the old panchayat building of Medpar village under Takhatpur development block.
Calling it an unfortunate incident, chief minister Bhupesh Baghel said, “I have directed the Bilaspur collector to take action against people responsible for cow deaths. None of the culprits will be spared.”
The cows were allegedly kept in claustrophobic condition, shoved in a closed and small room. Initial probe indicates that villagers and sarpanch in a collective decision had kept the cattle in the enclosed room to prevent them venturing into the fields during crop season. An FIR was lodged against unidentified persons and the district collector has constituted an investigation team.
Bilaspur collector Saaransh Mittar has ordered to constitute an investigation committee headed by additional collector, joint director, veterinary services, deputy director agriculture and a sub-divisional officer. The collector has ordered the panel to submit a report within three days. A case was also lodged.
The FIR has been lodged against unidentified persons under provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Section 429 of the IPC, the SP said, adding that it doesn’t seem to be an intentional act though it could be carelessness.
The autopsies done on few carcasses reveal the bovines died of suffocation.
Meanwhile, Gau Seva Aayog has termed it as an act of negligence and has demanded strict action against the culprits. A team of Aayog is visiting the spot of the incident.
