National Security Act was invoked on Monday against three of the seven accused arrested in connection with the alleged cow slaughter case that took place in Bulandshahr last month, which led to a violence that left a police inspector and a civilian killed.

The stringent law provides for preventive detention in certain cases and for matters connected therewith.

The three accused booked under the National Security Act are Azhar Khan, Nadeem Khan and Mehboob Ali of Syana town, who had been arrested and sent to jail for their alleged involvement in the incident of cow slaughter in Mahav village on the night of December 2.

In a statement, the district administration said the act of the accused hurt the sentiments of Hindus living in Nayabaans and Mahav villages, and caused serious law and order problem in the area.

Police inspector Subodh Kumar Singh and civilian Sumit Kumar, 20, were killed of bullet shots during the mob violence on December 3. Right-wing groups had demanded action against some locals and blocked traffic on the main road on that day, after which a police team rushed to the scene, only to be attacked by an infuriated crowd. Violence was also witnessed at Chingrawathi police post on 3 December.

An FIR against 27 named people and 50 to 60 unidentified people were registered at the Syana police station in connection with the Bulandsshahr violence.

Read | Shikhar Agarwal, another prime accused in Bulandshahr violence, arrested

So far, in its crackdown on the accused in the case, police have managed to nab 36 persons while 50 others are still at large.

The statement issued by the district administration on Monday also said the cow slaughter accused were trying to seek bail, which if given could worsen law and order. “Therefore, it has been decided to book them under NSA,” it said.

Advocate Afaq, who is fighting a legal battle for the three accused, however said the decision would be challenged in court.

Earlier on Thursday, Shikhar Agarwal, one of the prime accused in Bulandshahr violence, was arrested by an investigating team from Hapur. He is the president of BJP’s youth wing in Syana.

Police had earlier arrested another prime accused Yogesh Raj, district co-ordinator of Bajrang Dal, and Pawan Kumar who is associated with RSS.