Vigilant locals detained six individuals in Sadullapur Upazila of Gaibandha on Friday morning while they were allegedly preparing to sell horse meat disguised as beef.
The incident occurred in the Mongla Bandar area under Jamalpur Union of the upazila.
According to local residents, a group of men slaughtered a horse behind a remote homestead early in the morning and began processing the meat with the intention of selling it to unsuspecting consumers as beef. Upon discovering the deceptive act, an angry crowd gathered, creating a commotion. Locals subsequently cornered and detained six suspects on the spot, seizing the slaughtered horse meat alongside its head, and alerted the local administration. While the initial raw reports claimed nine horses were involved, officials confirmed the immediate seizure of the processed carcass and head at the scene.
Upon receiving the information, Sadullapur Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Mahmudul Hasan, along with a team from the Sadullapur Police Station, rushed to the spot to defuse the tension and initiate legal proceedings.
Sadullapur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) AKM Habibul Islam confirmed the developments. "We have taken six individuals into custody from the scene. The detainees are currently undergoing interrogation at the station, and strict legal action will be taken against those involved following a thorough investigation," the OC stated.
UNO Mahmudul Hasan assured the public that food safety violations would not be tolerated. "An administrative investigation into the incident is underway. If the allegations of deceptive meat marketing are proven true, the perpetrators will face the full force of the law," he added.
