Bhubaneswar: Incidents of cow smuggling and theft are on the rise across several districts of Odisha, raising serious concerns about gaps in law enforcement and the growing boldness of organized smuggling networks. In the last 48 hours, two major smuggling rackets were dismantled in Balasore and Koraput districts, resulting in the rescue of 79 cows. Shockingly, one cow died due to the inhumane conditions in which the animals were being transported. Meanwhile, a string of cow thefts from households and farms in Balasore district has sparked anger and anxiety among local dairy farmers and cow owners, who claim that police action has been insufficient despite repeated complaints.
Balasore: 47 Cows Rescued from Container Marked as ‘Dak Parcel’
In Balasore district, police intercepted a container truck on December 6 near Nilgiri and discovered 47 cows packed tightly inside. The truck was allegedly transporting the cows from Bhadrak district to West Bengal through illegal routes. To avoid suspicion and evade checks at the Shergarh Toll Plaza on National Highway-16, the smugglers diverted the truck through the Bidu–Panchalingeswar–Nilgiri PWD road.
Investigators revealed that the smugglers had attempted to disguise the truck as a postal delivery vehicle by painting the words “Dak Parcel” in large letters on its body. This strategy was intended to mislead the public and authorities into believing it was a normal goods carrier.
The brutal manner in which the cows were packed led to the death of one cow inside the container. Police officials confirmed that the animals were tied, immobilized, and crammed into a limited space without ventilation, food, or water.
Upon receiving confidential information, Nilgiri police formed a joint team led by IIC Govardhan Nayak, Ishwarpur Outpost In-Charge Vikas Kumar Bhoi, and Barendra Kumar Singh. The team set up a checkpoint near Ishwarpur and successfully stopped the container. Another vehicle escorting the container managed to flee under the cover of darkness.
Three suspected smugglers from West Bengal’s Howrah area were arrested at the scene. They were identified as Happy Zulu (20), Sheikh Iqbal (21), and another accomplice whose identity is being verified.
The 46 surviving cows were shifted to a gosala in Remuna, while the body of the deceased cow was sent for a post-mortem examination.
Koraput: 32 Cows Found Hidden Beneath Vegetable Crates
A second major smuggling attempt was foiled late Friday night in Koraput district. In a case that has shocked local residents, smugglers attempted to transport 32 cows to Hyderabad by hiding them beneath layers of vegetable crates in an Eicher vehicle.
Local youths received specific information about suspicious movement on the Jaipur–Koraput route. Acting on the tip-off, the Town Police conducted a late-night operation and intercepted the vehicle near Puranagada Square. As soon as the vehicle was stopped, the driver and helper fled the scene, taking advantage of the darkness.
During the inspection, the upper section of the vehicle appeared fully loaded with green vegetables—an intentional ploy to mislead the police and avoid scrutiny. However, the lower deck revealed a grim reality: 32 cows tied with ropes, cramped in a suffocating space. The animals seemed to have been deprived of food and water for several hours.
Local volunteers assisting the police reported that smugglers have begun adopting tactics similar to those used in ganja smuggling networks, utilizing layers of cover to conceal illegal cargo. They noted that several smuggling incidents are being reported almost daily from the Jaipur region, urging the police to increase vigilance on all internal and border routes.
Balasore Continues to Report Cow Theft from Households
While Balasore police successfully intercepted a major smuggling convoy, the district continues to experience a worrying rise in cow thefts. Dozens of thefts have been reported in recent months from households, private barns, and dairy farms within the Remuna police limits.
Thieves reportedly break into cow sheds during late-night hours, cut through restraining ropes, and load the animals onto pick-up vans before fleeing. Several such incidents have been captured on CCTV footage; however, no breakthroughs have been made in tracking the organized gang behind these thefts.
One such incident occurred on October 10 at around 3:45 am, when four cows were stolen from the area near the Naraharipur Service Cooperative Society office and the local RI office. CCTV footage showed the animals being forcibly loaded onto a pick-up van, sparking strong protests from dairy traders who rely solely on milk sales for their livelihoods.
Similarly, on November 21, a young man was caught on camera stealing a milch cow from the courtyard of a villager in Radhanagar village.
Again, on December 2, four cows were stolen from the cowshed of Hridayananda Yadav in Mangalpur village under the Industrial Area police limits. Yadav, who supports his family through dairy work, stated that this was the second theft he had suffered. Eight months earlier, one of his cows had been stolen and later recovered from Jankharai village. The repeated incidents have left him and others in the area fearful and distressed.
Growing Public Anger and Demands for Strong Action
Local residents across Balasore have expressed frustration that, despite frequent complaints, the police have not been able to dismantle the smuggling and theft networks. Many believe that criminals are emboldened by weak enforcement and slow investigations. Dairy farmers are demanding strict surveillance, night patrolling, and special anti-smuggling operations in rural areas, especially those close to district borders and national highways.
Local people have appealed directly to the Superintendent of Police, Balasore, urging immediate and decisive action to curb the rising menace. They have stressed that cow theft not only causes financial loss but also affects the social fabric and security of families who depend on livestock for their livelihoods.
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