‘Cow smugglers’ held after hours-long chase in Gurugram

Four cow smugglers were arrested after an 80-kilometre chase by police, cow vigilantes, and a cow task force. Two suspects managed to escape.

Four suspected cow smugglers were arrested after being chased for 80 kilometres by police, cow vigilantes and cow task force over a span of two-and-a-half hours in the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday. However, two more suspects managed to escape, officials aware of the matter said on Sunday.

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Acting on a tip-off from the cow task force, police formed a team and barricaded Vatika Chowk towards Sohna on Saturday night. On spotting the barricades, the driver sped away, and the cow vigilantes started chasing them, with the police and cow task force right behind them, they added.

During the chase, both the tyres of the van got punctured, but still the suspects kept going and finally stopped near Sector 65. A countrymade pistol and a live cartridge were recovered from their possession, said a police officer who asked not to be named.

Police said there were five cows and two calves in the vehicle.

A complaint was filed by the cow vigilantes, who are members of district cow protection force.

Varun Dahiya, assistant commissioner of police (crime), said the suspects to stop the chase, kept throwing cows off the moving van.