Bhubaneswar: In a significant crackdown on cow smuggling, police in Bhadrak district rescued 30 cows that were being illegally transported for suspected slaughter and arrested four individuals involved in the operation. The seizure included two pickup vans, a Volkswagen car, and five mobile phones linked to the smuggling activity.
The operation was conducted late night on April 17 under the leadership of Bhadrak City DSP Sambit Majhi, who led a special patrolling team. Acting on intelligence inputs, the team intercepted a suspicious pickup van carrying cows near Tihidi. During an attempt to flee, the vehicle overturned, allowing police to rescue eight cows from the scene.
In a related operation near Mirzapur, under the jurisdiction of the Purunabazar Police Station, the team recovered an additional 20 cows from another pickup van. Further investigation revealed that the smugglers were using a car to escort the cow-laden -laden vehicles and provide logistical support.
Sub-Inspector Deeptirekha Swain, who was on night patrol duty, noticed a car (registration number OR-02BX-2828) parked suspiciously near Haldidiha Chowk at around 4:20 AM. Upon questioning the four men inside, it became clear that they were involved in facilitating the illegal transport of cows originating from Chandbali.
Based on this information, police attempted to intercept another pickup vehicle, which overturned while trying to evade capture. Although the driver managed to escape, police successfully rescued 10 healthy and several injured cows from the vehicle.
In total, 30 cows were rescued during the operation, and the vehicles and communication devices were seized as evidence. The arrested individuals have been identified as Islam Khan (46), son of Ibrahim Khan, resident of Rasulpur under Ali Police Station in Kendrapara district; Sarfaraz Khan alias Babul (30), son of Ramzan Khan; Fazil Hasan alias Tikini (29), son of Sonai Khan; and Mairaj Sahaji (35), son of Dukh Sahaji, resident of Jagannathsahi under Dhamnagar Police Station in Bhadrak district.
A case has been registered at Purunabazar Police Station (Case No. 94/25) against the accused under sections 111(2)(B), 111(4), 303(2), 317(2), and 325/3(5) of the Indian Penal Code; BN & RW Section 7; the Odisha Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act; and Section 11(A)(D) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. All four accused have been produced before the court following their arrest.
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