Cow slaughter accused held after encounter

Varanasi: Bilariaganj police arrested a man accused of cow slaughter after he was injured in the leg during exchange of fire early Saturday morning. Police said Tabrez (24) was arrested but his accomplice managed to escape. Tabrez was on police radar for his alleged role in butchering a cow in a field in Imlipur village on Mar 17. Azamgarh ASP Vivek Tripathi said Bilariaganj police were patrolling at night when they received inputs regarding movement of criminals from Jalaluddin Patti road towards Chhichhori. Police cordoned the route and tried to stop a person, but when he fired and attempted to flee, police fired back, leading to his arrest. But his accomplice managed to escape. After recovering a pistol and cartridges, police rushed Tabrez to hospital. On Mar 17, Jayprakash Yadav of Madhnapar village complained to police that head and skin of a cow were found in a field in Imlipur village. Police lodged FIR under sections of the Cow Slaughter Prevention Act against unknown persons. During probe names of Salman, Tabrez, Sarfraz and Meraj of Mohammadpur came to light and police conducted raids for their arrest.