Noida: Five men allegedly involved in selling bovine meat and linked to several cow slaughter cases across NCR were arrested after a late-night gunfight on Tuesday, police said. According to police, the encounter took place near Crossings Republik after officers received a tip-off about the group’s movements in connection with a March 3 case.The accused were identified as Maroof (24), Ayan alias Musa (25), Johin (21), Alam (32), and Sameer (19), all residents of Sambhal.According to Wave City assistant commissioner of police Priyashree Pal, personnel from Crossing Republik police station were conducting a routine check at the ABES Cut around 12.30am on March 11 when they received inputs that those involved in the alleged cow slaughter at Dundahera underpass on March 3 were travelling on the Delhi–Meerut Highway near Chipiyana Road in a silver Honda City. Police also received information that the group was planning to locate and slaughter more cows.When the police team attempted to intercept the car after spotting it, the vehicle made a U-turn and sped along the service road towards the Chipiyana underpass. As officers began to surround the vehicle, the driver swerved off the road onto a dirt track in an attempt to escape.During the chase, the car drove into a ditch and one of its tyres got stuck. The accused allegedly opened fire at the police, who retaliated by firing at the legs of two of the accused — Maroof and Ayan.The three remaining accused were apprehended at the spot.Police said they seized two .315-bore country-made pistols, cartridges, one heifer, three large cleavers, and six sharp-edged knives or daggers of varying sizes. Officers also recovered two injection vials, four syringes, three plastic sacks, two large bundles of black polythene sheets, a purple-and-white checkered towel, two ropes, and the car used by the accused.The injured accused were admitted to MMG Hospital for treatment. A case was registered at Crossing Republik police station under sections 5A, 8, 3, and 5 of the Cow Slaughter Act; Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act; sections 3, 25, and 27 of the Arms Act; and Sections 109(1) (attempt to murder) and 3(5) (joint criminal liability) of the BNS.During questioning, the accused allegedly told police that they scout vacant fields along the DME where cattle roam at night. They capture the animals, administer sedative injections, and load them into their car. After locating a secluded spot, they slaughter the animals, pack the meat in plastic sheets and sacks, and travel to different locations across Delhi to sell it.Police claimed the accused on March 3 they slaughtered a cow and a calf in a field behind a wall opposite the Dundahera underpass, leaving the remains at the site before heading to Delhi to sell the meat. They also told investigators that three days ago they slaughtered another cow along the banks of the Hindon River in Sahajban Nagar.
