Bhubaneswar: Cow smuggling remains rampant in Odisha, with smugglers developing innovative techniques to evade law enforcement. A recent incident in Jajpur district revealed that smugglers are now using milk transport vehicles to traffic cows in an attempt to deceive authorities and local residents. A similar case has also been reported in Keonjhar district.
Cattle smuggling incidents are prevalent along National Highways 53 and 16. In the latest case, vehicles intended for transporting milk were intercepted near Chandikhol Chowk after locals grew suspicious. Residents alerted the police, who quickly arrived on the scene. Upon inspecting the vehicles, authorities discovered that they were being used to smuggle calves in extremely poor and cramped conditions.
A total of 32 calves were rescued, while three were found dead, sparking public outrage in the area. Police have arrested the driver involved in the smuggling attempt.
Local cow protection activists expressed concern over the increasing trend of traffickers adopting new methods to avoid detection. They noted that smugglers have previously used ambulances and luxury four-wheelers for illegal cattle transportation. However, this is the first instance of milk transport vehicles being misused for such activities.
Activists have urged the police and administration to implement strict measures to curb cattle smuggling but claim that authorities have not demonstrated adequate seriousness in addressing the issue. They emphasized that decisive action by the police and administration could significantly reduce cattle smuggling. Additionally, they pointed out that the Odisha High Court recently directed the state government to ensure a complete ban on cow slaughter.
In another incident from Keonjhar district, smugglers were found moving cattle on foot to avoid suspicion. The cattle were being transported toward the Mayurbhanj district border, from where they would be taken into West Bengal and eventually to slaughterhouses. Activists claim this method is designed to evade public attention.
One such case was reported from the Anandpur area, where locals noticed a man leading ten cows on foot across the Baitarani River bridge. When questioned, the man abandoned the cattle and fled the scene.
Police, after being informed, arrived and took the animals to the local station before arranging their transfer to a cow shelter. Authorities have previously uncovered other clever smuggling attempts in Odisha. Just weeks ago, in Keonjhar district, smugglers were caught using fake boards bearing government department names to transport cattle under the guise of official work.
These incidents highlight a growing challenge for law enforcement agencies in Odisha, as traffickers continue to find novel ways to bypass checks. Public and activist pressure is mounting on the state administration to intensify highway inspections, monitor suspicious vehicles, and enforce stricter penalties to combat the illegal cattle trade.
