Gorakhpur: An official of Basgaon Nagar Panchayat of the district was booked under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act on Saturday after two cows died allegedly of hunger at the ‘kanji house’ (cowshed) run by the nagar panchayat, police said.The animal shelter is located in ward number two of Badawan locality of Bansgaon and houses 100 bovine.On Thursday, the locals were alerted by foul smell emanating from the cowshed. When they went there, they found carcasses of two cows. Angry over the incident, the locals staged a protest and met senior officials at the tehsil, seeking action against the official concerned and proper care of the animals.Police said Santosh Singh, ‘kar samharta adhikari’ (tax collector) of the nagar panchayat, was booked on complaint of the locals who alleged that he had failed to discharge his responsibility of feeding the stray cows. The animals were left to die without the consideration of sentiments of Hindus, who treat the animal as their mother, they further alleged.SDM Bansgaon Arun Kumar Mishra said, “Two cows were found dead at the ‘kanji house’ on Thursday, triggering tension among the locals who sought immediate action. On the compliant of one Avinesh Singh, we have registered an FIR against Santosh Singh, an official of the nagar panchayat, under section 11 (treating animals cruelly) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. A probe has been launched into the matter.”

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