Cattle smuggling from Odisha to West Bengal continues unabated despite repeated public outcry. In yet another incident highlighting this issue, a pickup van illegally transporting cattle crashed near the Odisha–West Bengal border, bringing the matter back into public focus. Locals have expressed growing dissatisfaction with the administration’s failure to take strong and effective action to curb such illegal activities, despite ongoing demands.
According to local villagers, as many as 10 pickup vans were involved in transporting cattle across the state border. The cows were crammed into the vehicles under extremely inhumane conditions. The smugglers were attempting to transport them to West Bengal when the incident occurred in Brahmanmara village, under the Morada police limits of Mayurbhanj district, which lies close to the border.
Sources stated that the convoy of vehicles was moving towards West Bengal when the smugglers noticed a vehicle belonging to the Forest Department. In a panic, they attempted to make a U-turn to avoid detection. While nine of the pickup vans managed to flee, one vehicle lost control and crashed into a local resident’s house.
The driver of the van fled the scene immediately after the crash. Local villagers, who rushed to the spot after the accident, managed to stop the vehicle and inform the police. Acting on the tip-off, Morada police arrived and seized the vehicle. Upon inspection, nine cattle were found packed tightly inside in extremely poor condition. The animals were reportedly treated like sacks of potatoes, crammed into the small space without ventilation or proper care.
The incident has sparked anger among the local population. Residents pointed out that due to the proximity to the West Bengal border, this route is frequently used for cattle smuggling.
“Illegal transportation of cattle occurs at least two to three times a week. Despite multiple complaints and prior information provided to the police, no significant action has been taken, and the illegal trade continues unchecked,” said a local villager.
Locals have strongly demanded that both the state government and police administration take immediate and strict measures to curb illegal cattle smuggling. They stressed the need for proactive enforcement and consistent monitoring to prevent such activities in the future, thereby protecting animal welfare and maintaining law and order in the region.
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