Uttar Pradesh: Three meat shops set on fire in Hathras, cops blame anti-social elements; FIR registered

Lucknow: Days after newly-elected Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a crackdown in illegal slaughterhouses that have been running in the state, three meat shops have been torched by unknown persons in Hathras district of the state. 

Though the perpetrators behind the incident are yet to be identified, the locals claim that it could be the work of anti-social elements to create fictions between the two communities. 

At least three mutton shops were set on fire by unidentified people at the Jalesar road in Hathras. The fire was first noticed by locals at around 2 am on Tuesday.

Visuals released by ANI showed smoldering remains of the meat shop. 

The development comes after local administration closed down at least two illegal slaughterhouses in Allahabad on Tuesday.

Earlier today, in keeping with the BJP's promise, CM Adityanath on Wednesday directed the police to begin closing down slaughterhouses across the state. He also ordered a blanket ban on the smuggling of cows in the state, The Economic Times reported.

Yesterday, the Ghaziabad administration too swung into action as it closed down an illegal slaughterhouse and four meat shops in the district. 

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Police have registered an FIR against unidentified people in connection with the case.