Cattle smugglers in a shocking instance attempted to run over police personnel conducting a vehicle-checking drive at Gangutoli Chowk in Jaldega, Simdega district. The incident occurred late Tuesday (December 25) night. Following a dramatic chase, the police arrested four individuals and sent them to jail.
Jaldega police station in-charge, Jitendra Kumar, revealed that the operation was launched based on intelligence inputs regarding a vehicle transporting smuggled cattle. The accused attempted to evade the checkpoint but were pursued and apprehended after their vehicle was seized.
Details of the Incident
The police had intensified vehicle checks at Gangutoli Chowk after receiving a tip-off that a car loaded with smuggled cattle would be passing through the area. Around midnight, a high-speed vehicle approached the checkpoint from the Bansjor direction. When signalled to stop, the driver of the car accelerated, attempting to ram through the police team.
“The driver deliberately drove the car toward the officers to crush them,” said Jitendra Kumar. One officer sustained minor injuries in the process. Despite this, the police gave chase, intercepting the vehicle after a short pursuit.
The four accused—Tahir Mian, Sami Khan, Ayan Khan, and Sanjay Singh—were taken into custody. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the vehicle was being used for cattle smuggling.
Accused Linked to Past Crimes
A deeper probe into the matter revealed that one of the accused, Tahir Mian, has a criminal history involving cattle smuggling. He was identified as the primary accused in the tragic murder of Inspector Sandhya Topno, the former in-charge of the Mahila police station in Tupudana, Ranchi.
In July 2022, Inspector Sandhya Topno was conducting a vehicle-checking drive when a truck loaded with smuggled cattle ignored her signal to stop. Standing in the vehicle’s path, she was fatally run over and dragged for nearly 50 meters. The horrific incident sent shockwaves across the state. Tahir Mian had been on the run since then.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigations
“The action of the police team ensured that the accused were apprehended before they could escape,” said Jitendra Kumar. The arrested individuals have been charged under relevant sections of the law, and the vehicle used in the incident has been impounded.
Law and Order in State
The state of law and order in Jharkhand under the Hemant government has been called into question following a harrowing incident in Simdega. The attempt to run over a vehicle on the police team highlights a severe breakdown in security measures.
The police found themselves in a perilous situation, focusing on self-preservation amidst the attack.
The incident has sparked public outcry, with many questioning the effectiveness of the current administration in maintaining peace and order. “How long will the reign of fear and criminals continue in Jharkhand?” wrote BJP Jharkhand in a social media post on X.
The Hemant government faces mounting pressure as the public demands answers: “If the police aren’t safe in Jharkhand, what will happen to the common people?” This question echoes the growing sentiment of insecurity among the residents of Jharkhand.
