After coming to power in Uttar Pradesh, the Yogi Adityanath government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards cow slaughter, cattle smuggling and illegal animal slaughter in the state. To deal with the menace of cow slaughter in the ‘cow belt’ state, the government amended the existing law for cow slaughter prevention and introduced the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020.
The 2020 ordinance provides for up to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine ranging from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh, on conviction for cow slaughter. On conviction for injuring or mutilating cattle, up to 7 years of imprisonment and up to ₹3 lakh fine can be imposed.
Under the 2020 ordinance, 14,182 cases related to cow slaughter have been registered across the state so far, and 35,924 accused persons have been arrested. Apart from the relevant provisions of the 2020 ordinance, applicable sections from other stringent laws were also invoked against the culprits. For example, out of the 35,924 arrestees, 13,793 were also booked under the ‘Goonda Act’, while 178 faced action under the ‘National Security Act’ (NSA). Additionally, 14,305 cases saw action under the ‘Gangster Act’.
With the strict approach clubbed with the stringent legal provisions, cow slaughter and cattle smuggling in the state have been curbed to a great extent. In dealing with the problem of cow slaughter and cattle smuggling, the government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy. In addition to invoking the stringent laws, the Yogi government dismantled the criminal networks engaged in cow slaughter and cattle smuggling and launched investigations into the finances and properties of the criminals involved.
Under Section 14(1) of the Gangster Act, the government seized properties worth about ₹83.32 crore. The intention was to cripple these criminal networks financially by confiscating assets acquired through illegal activities. In many cases, land, vehicles and other assets of criminals purchased with illegal earnings were attached.
To further tighten the noose around criminals involved in cow slaughter and cattle smuggling, the Yogi government formed special police teams. The special police teams used intelligence monitoring, district-level task forces and heightened vigilance in border areas to dismantle networks involved in cow slaughter and smuggling.
Police increased patrolling at night in the areas considered sensitive. Monitoring of the transportation of cattle was also intensified. Police conducted continuous drives against illegal slaughterhouses. As a result of the Yogi government’s resolve to curb cow slaughter and cattle smuggling in the state, and commensurate administrative and legal action, the problem has significantly declined.
