Houses of 11 people were demolished in the tribal-dominated Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday (June 15), reported PTI.

As per the police, the demolition was done as a part of action against the illegal beef trade in the state, as well as on the account that the houses were illegal and built on government land.

The incident took place in Bhainwahi area in Nainpur, Mandla. According to a police official, the demolition drive was taken once the police received the information that a large number of cows were held captive for slaughter. 

Mandla Superintendent of Police Rajat Saklecha told PTI, "A team was rushed there and we found 150 cows tied in the backyards of the accused. Cow meat was recovered from the refrigerators in the homes of all the 11 accused. We also found animal fat, cattle skin and bones, which were stuffed in a room," the official said.

"The local government veterinarian has confirmed the seized meat is beef. We have also sent samples to Hyderabad for secondary DNA analysis. The houses of the 11 accused were demolished as they were on government land," the SP added.

The SP confirmed that 150 cows that were recovered from the backyards of houses, were sent to a cattle shelter. “Cow slaughter in MP is punishable with a jail term of seven years," Saklecha said, quoted PTI.

An FIR was registered on Friday night following the recovery of the cows and beef.

One person has been arrested, while the search operations are underway to nab the remaining 10 accused.