BHUBANESWAR: The menace of cattle smugglers is increasing in Odisha. The extent of their brazenness was evident in a recent incident near Panapana on National Highway-16, within the limits of the Khantapada police station in Balasore district. While Cow protection activists attempted to intercept a vehicle illegally transporting cattle, another vehicle escorting the smugglers deliberately rammed into them. As a result, one cow protection activist was killed, while another sustained critical injuries and is currently fighting for life.
According to reports, a vehicle allegedly transporting cattle illegally was being pursued by a group of cow protection activists early on the morning of March 31 after they received specific information. While attempting to stop the vehicle near Khantapada, another vehicle escorting the smugglers rammed into the activists’ motorcycle from behind near Monali Dhaba in Panapana and fled the scene.
As a result of the collision, two activists—identified as Kripasindhu Behera and Lambodar—sustained severe injuries. Local residents rushed them to a hospital in Soro, where doctors declared Kripasindhu Behera dead. Lambodar, who remains in critical condition, was initially treated in Balasore and later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for advanced medical care.
Meanwhile, the container carrying cattle attempted to escape at high speed. However, a police team from Soro approached from the opposite direction, leaving the driver with no option but to abandon the vehicle near Barikpur Haat and flee. The police seized the container and handed it over to the Khantapada police for further investigation.
During the inspection, authorities rescued 47 cattle from the vehicle, which were reportedly being transported under highly inhumane conditions. The rescued animals were later shifted to a local Goushala.
Following the incident, tension gripped the area. Angry locals staged a protest and blocked the national highway for an extended period, disrupting traffic. Protesters demanded strict action against those responsible for the accident, financial assistance for the deceased’s family, and a complete crackdown on cattle smuggling.
After the family of the deceased lodged a complaint, the police initiated an investigation. Additional Superintendent of Police Niranjan Behera, along with a scientific team and Khantapada police personnel, visited the spot to conduct a detailed probe. The body of Kripasindhu Behera was sent for post-mortem at Soro Medical and later handed over to his family.
Subsequently, members of Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad organised a demonstration in front of Khantapada police station, placing the body on the road and demanding justice. Their demands included immediate arrest of the accused, ₹1 crore compensation and a government job for the deceased’s family, ₹50 lakh assistance for the injured activist, and a complete ban on cattle smuggling.
Upon receiving information about the protest, senior district officials—including Additional District Magistrate Hemant Kumar Singh and Superintendent of Police Pratyush Diwakar—arrived at the site with police forces and held discussions with the demonstrators. After prolonged protests and negotiations, the situation was eventually brought under control and normalcy restored.
