Bhubaneswar: Illegal cattle trafficking continues to pose a serious challenge in Odisha, with yet another tragic incident reported from the Angul district. A container truck carrying a large number of cattle overturned on the Rengali–Boudh National Highway (NH-153B) near the Bandadurga Temple in the Kiakata police station area, killing at least 25 cows and leaving several others critically injured. A cattle smuggler was also found dead at the site.
According to police sources, the container was transporting cattle illegally from Boudh to Rengali when the driver lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a sharp curve near the temple. The vehicle overturned, trapping more than 50 cows inside the container. The impact proved fatal for many of the animals, which were being transported in extremely inhumane and overcrowded conditions.
After the accident, the smugglers reportedly detached the engine of the vehicle from the container and fled the scene in an attempt to evade identification. However, during rescue operations, authorities recovered the body of one cattle smuggler who had been crushed under the weight of the animals.
On receiving information, personnel from Kiakata police station and the fire services rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. Members of Bajrang Dal and local residents also joined the effort. Using a JCB machine and cutting equipment, rescuers cut open the container to pull out the trapped animals. Twenty-five cattle were found dead, while several others were rescued in critical condition and provided immediate assistance.
The carcasses of the dead cattle were later buried in a pit in a nearby forest area following standard procedures to prevent health hazards. The incident triggered widespread anger among local residents and animal welfare activists. Protesting what they described as rampant illegal cattle trafficking and the brutal manner in which the animals were transported, Bajrang Dal activists and villagers blocked the national highway around 12:30 pm on January 11, Saturday. Traffic was brought to a standstill for several hours, disrupting normal movement on the busy route.
Police from Kiakata, Athamallik and Kishorenagar, along with an Additional Tehsildar, reached the protest site and held discussions with the agitators. After assurances of strict action and a thorough investigation, the protest was withdrawn around 3 pm and traffic was restored. Local cow protection activists have accused the administration of failing to curb cattle smuggling despite repeated incidents across the state, including in Kendujhar and Bhadrak districts in recent months. They alleged that although laws exist to prevent illegal cattle transportation, enforcement remains weak, allowing smugglers to operate with impunity.
They have demanded stringent action against those involved and called for stronger surveillance along major highways to prevent further incidents. Police have registered a case and launched a manhunt to trace the absconding smugglers, while further investigations into the incident are underway.
