Authorities in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, reported the arrest of eleven individuals following the discovery of meat believed to be beef near an eidgah on Barsana Road on Sunday. According to police sources, the arrests were made after residents found animal remains in an empty plot.

It is alleged that an animal from the cow family was slaughtered on Saturday evening, leading to the subsequent discovery of its head and meat pieces by local residents.

The incident coincided with Bakri Eid, also known as Eid-al-Adha, a significant Muslim festival that involves the sacrifice of livestock. Eidgahs serve as designated areas for Eid prayers, typically located on the outskirts of cities.

Following the incident, members of the Gau Rakshak Dal and other Hindutva groups organized a protest at the location. Senior Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar stated that police intervened to calm the situation.

A first information report has been filed under the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, naming 24 identified individuals and 50 others who remain unidentified.

Samples of the meat discovered at the scene have been sent for forensic analysis, as confirmed by the senior police official.

The arrested individuals have been identified through security camera footage. They include Saqir, Sohil, Intezaar, Ansar, Pintu, Asin, Sunny, Usman, Firoz, Farukh, and Shekhar, all residents of Jain Gali in the Govardhan area of Mathura.

In a related incident, a burnt carcass, suspected to be that of a cow, was discovered on the service road of the Yamuna Expressway in the Mant area of Mathura on Saturday, which also incited protests from Hindutva groups.

Mant Circle Officer Gunjan Singh reported that these groups demanded the filing of an FIR regarding the burnt carcass. A complaint was lodged by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ashok Saraswat on behalf of the Radharani Gauseva Trust.