Deaths in Chhattisgarh cow shelters: Nine officials suspended, ink thrown at BJP leader

The government took the action after a report on the deaths was submitted by agriculture director SK Pandey

Updated on: Aug 19, 2017, 22:27:03 IST

Hindustan Times, Bemetara | By Ritesh Mishra

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The Chhattisgarh government on Saturday suspended nine officials, including two deputy directors of the animal husbandry department, after 290 cows were found dead in three shelters run by a leader of the state’s ruling BJP.

Chhattisgarh government suspends nine officials over the death of cows in three shelter homes run by a BJP leader in the state’s Durg and Bemetara districts. (HT PHOTO)

The officials were suspended and issued show-cause notices for “dereliction of duty,” said a government source without elaborating further.

The government took the action after a report on the deaths was submitted by agriculture director SK Pandey.

The bovine deaths over the past two days, due to starvation and lack of proper care, triggered a statewide protest.

A group of youth Congress workers earlier in the day smeared ink on the face of the BJP leader, Harish Verma, when he was produced before a district court in Durg in a case over the deaths. Police later detained several youth Congress workers over the incident.

Verma was arrested on Friday after about 200 bovines died in one of his cow shelters in the state’s Durg district. Ninety more cow carcasses were found by a team of veterinary doctors on Saturday at two other shelters he runs in Godmarra and Rano villages in the neighbouring Bemetara district.

The deaths gave a tool to the opposition parties to target the BJP. Fringe elements of the party are often being accused of attacking, even lynching, cattle traders on the suspicion of transporting cows for slaughter. Cows are considered holy by many Hindus.

The arrested BJP leader is accused of siphoning of Rs 1.65 crore given to three cow shelters run by him. Verma, however, blamed the state government for the deaths, saying the Chhattisgarh Gaw Seva Ayog failed to release pending funds to provide fodder to ailing animals.

Among the animal husbandry department officials put under suspension are Durg district deputy director Dr AK Chawala and Bemetra deputy director Dr AK Singh.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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