Tension gripped parts of Kanpur’s Bilhaur area after the remains of what police described as “prohibited animals” were found in an agricultural field near a Durga temple, triggering protests, vandalism, and allegations of police negligence. The incident has led to the arrest of two people, the detention of four others for questioning, and the suspension of four police personnel, including the station house officer (SHO), following what senior officials termed serious lapses in supervision.

The issue came to light on Monday evening after a video showing bones, skins, and animal remains circulating on social media sparked outrage among local residents and Hindu organisations. The remains were reportedly found around 300 metres from a Durga temple in the Bilhaur area and about 1.5 kilometres from the Bilhaur police station. The location is also close to the boundary wall of a graveyard and lies near a police outpost, a beat area, and regular patrol routes.

Following the circulation of the video, senior police officers rushed to the spot and conducted an immediate inspection. By Tuesday, protests had broken out in the area, with demonstrators demanding strict action against those allegedly involved in dumping the remains. During the agitation, some youths vandalised five parked vehicles, smashing window panes and causing damage. Police said the situation was brought under control promptly and additional forces were deployed to prevent further unrest.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Ashutosh Kumar said that around 100 animal remains were recovered from the site. “While about 100 prohibited animal remains were found, there was no evidence of fresh or live slaughter at the site,” he said, adding that veterinary teams were called in to examine the remains and conduct post-mortem procedures.

According to police officials, the remains were recovered from two tin enclosures in an agricultural field allegedly belonging to a local resident, identified as Shakir. Additional remains were also found in a nearby shed, which police said was also allegedly owned by him. The shed has since been sealed on the instructions of senior officers as part of the investigation.

Local residents and Hindu organisations alleged that the remains had been deliberately dumped near the temple site to provoke communal tension. Protesters accused Shakir and another local resident, Rehman, of involvement in illegal cow slaughter and demanded their immediate arrest. They also alleged collusion by local police personnel, claiming that earlier complaints had been ignored.

Police said that two persons have been arrested so far in connection with the case, while four others have been detained and are being questioned. A case has been registered against 10 named persons under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other laws, including provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Teams have been formed to search for the remaining suspects.

“This case involves multiple violations, and we are proceeding strictly under the law,” Kumar said. “Further legal steps will follow as the investigation progresses.”

The proximity of the site to police infrastructure has raised serious questions about oversight and vigilance. Preliminary findings revealed that the location was close to a police outpost and fell under regular patrol routes. “This indicates serious lapses in supervision,” the joint commissioner said, confirming that departmental action had been initiated.

Following an on-site inspection and preliminary inquiry, four police personnel were placed under suspension for alleged negligence. Those suspended include Bilhaur SHO Ashok Kumar Saroj, Outpost In-charge Premveer Singh, Beat Officer Aftab Alam, and Head Constable Dileep Gangwar. Senior officials said the suspensions were necessary to ensure a fair probe and to send a message of accountability.

Public anger continued to build through the day. Around 100 advocates took out a march and submitted a memorandum addressed to the chief minister to Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sanjiv Dixit, demanding strict action against the accused and accountability from the police.

BJP MLA Rahul Bachcha Sonkar also visited the Bilhaur police station, where he met senior officers, including Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Kapil Dev Singh. The MLA alleged that the large number of animal remains indicated long-running illegal activity in the area and accused the police of failing to act despite repeated complaints. He demanded swift action and reportedly gave the police a 48-hour deadline to act decisively.

During Sonkar’s visit, his supporters raised slogans inside the police station premises, demanding strict punishment for the accused, including calls for capital punishment and “bulldozer action.” Slogans such as “Jai Shri Ram” were also raised, adding to the charged atmosphere. Police officials said the situation was handled carefully to prevent escalation.

Senior officials, including Joint CP Ashutosh Kumar, Additional DCP Kapil Dev Singh, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Bilhaur) Manjay Singh, and the SDM, visited the site and surrounding areas to assess the situation and oversee crowd control measures. Additional police force, including Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel, has been deployed in and around Bilhaur as a precautionary measure.

Veterinary teams have completed initial examinations of the remains, and their reports are expected to play a key role in determining the nature and timeline of the alleged illegal activity. Investigators are also examining land ownership records, CCTV footage from nearby areas, and mobile phone data to establish who accessed the site and when.

While police have stressed that there is no evidence so far of recent slaughter at the location, they acknowledged that the scale of the recovered remains points to serious violations of the law. Authorities said they are also probing allegations that earlier complaints by residents were ignored and whether there was any deliberate attempt to shield those involved.

“This matter is being investigated from all angles,” Kumar said. “Strict action has already been taken against police personnel found negligent, and no one involved in illegal activity will be spared.”

As of Tuesday night, officials said the situation in Bilhaur remained peaceful but tense, with security forces maintaining a close watch. The case has once again brought issues of law enforcement accountability, communal sensitivity, and illegal animal slaughter into sharp focus, with both the administration and police under pressure to ensure transparency, swift justice, and the prevention of further unrest.