At least 16 camels were rescued in Meerut while being transported in a truck from Baghpat to Moradabad, and three persons were arrested.
The incident took place this morning in Partapur police station area in Meerut.
Animal activists, however, alleged that police delayed handing over the animals to them for rehabilitation and treatment which caused death of three camels due to hunger and thirst in this blistering heat.
"We wanted to immediately shift these animals to Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Centre (SGACC) in Delhi but police refused to give their custody to us or arrange transport facilities. Things could be sorted out only till evening during which three camels died," said an animal activist from Gogyan Foundation.
The police, however, refuted these claims saying that they have to follow procedure.
"We have arrested three persons in this connection. The animals were being taken from Baghpat to Moradabad. Further investigations are on," said a police official.
