A significant illegal cattle trafficking operation has been dismantled in Odisha’s Koraput district, where police rescued 249 cows from six containers over the past 72 hours during two separate raids. The cattle were being transported under inhumane conditions, tightly packed like sacks of potatoes, which resulted in the death of five cows and left several others in critical condition. A total of 22 individuals, including drivers, owners, traffickers, and escort agents, have been arrested in connection with the case.
According to police sources, the first incident occurred early on May 26 morning when Koraput Town Police, acting on a tip-off, intercepted two containers near Mausi Maa Temple Square. Upon inspection, they discovered 39 cows crammed inside, four of which were already dead at the scene. Five suspects were detained, and a case was registered under the relevant sections of the law.
The second operation took place on May 27, during which police searched four additional containers and rescued 210 cattle, leading to the arrest of 17 more individuals. All related cases have been registered at the Koraput Town Police Station.
A special team, formed under the leadership of SP Rohit Verma, conducted the operations. During interrogation, the accused revealed that the cattle were being transported from the Nabarangpur and Dabugam regions of Odisha to Manapuram in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, with further plans to move them towards Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala for illegal sale and slaughter.
The 244 surviving cows were transferred to the “Shri Gopal Go Seva Samiti” cowshed in Paliguda, located in the Gadpadar Panchayat under the Jeypore block of Koraput district. The operation was supported by members of the local Hindu community and cow protection volunteers, who ensured the safe relocation and care of the animals.
One of the containers taken to the shelter was found to contain a dead cow, while several others were discovered to be injured or distressed. Rescue operations continued until 3 PM on Tuesday, after which post-mortem examinations were conducted on the deceased cattle, and arrangements were made for their proper cremation.
Police officials, including Town IIC Satyanand Patra and Sadar IIC Runa Majhi, played crucial roles in the successful raids. All six container trucks used for trafficking have been seized by the authorities. Police have assured that strict legal action will be taken under the law to prevent such illegal activities in the future.
The incident has sparked widespread public outrage in the region and highlighted the ongoing issue of illegal cattle trafficking in the state.
