BHUBANESWAR: Cattle smugglers in Odisha appear to be adopting increasingly unconventional methods to transport bovines illegally, with a shocking case coming to light in Mayurbhanj district where more than 20 cows were allegedly found concealed inside an oil tanker.
The incident was reported from the Bangiriposi police station area, where police intercepted the tanker on National Highway-49 after receiving information that the vehicle was travelling at high speed. The driver and helper have been detained for questioning, while police have launched an investigation into the alleged cattle transportation network.
Tanker Intercepted Following Local Alert
According to police sources, the tanker was travelling from the Bisoi side through Bangiriposi towards Kalabadia when local residents noticed its suspicious movement and high speed. Suspecting that something unusual was taking place, they alerted the police.
Acting swiftly on the information, a police team led by Bangiriposi police station Inspector-in-Charge Panchanan Mohanty took position beneath the Railgola Bridge and waited for the suspected vehicle.
As soon as the tanker reached the spot, police intercepted it. The vehicle, along with its driver and helper, was subsequently taken to the police station for further examination and questioning.
More Than 20 Cattle Found Inside Tanker
During a search of the vehicle, police reportedly discovered more than 20 cattle packed inside the tanker compartment. The animals were subsequently rescued from the vehicle.
The discovery has caused considerable surprise among local residents as the vehicle had allegedly been modified or used in a manner that enabled the cattle to be concealed inside what appeared to be an oil tanker.
The exact number of cattle rescued is yet to be officially ascertained, according to the information available. Police are also investigating the condition in which the animals were being transported and whether the vehicle had been specifically modified for the purpose.
Investigation Into Smuggling Network
Police have detained the driver and helper and are questioning them to establish the source of the cattle, their intended destination and the persons allegedly involved in the transportation.
Investigators are also examining whether the route has previously been used for the illegal transportation of cattle and whether the detained persons are connected with a larger network involved in the alleged smuggling activity.
A case is being pursued under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and other applicable laws. The tanker has been seized as part of the investigation.
The incident is being viewed as another indication of the different methods allegedly being adopted for illegal cattle transportation in the state. Earlier, cases involving the use of milk vehicles and ambulances for transporting cattle had also been reported.
Police Action Praised
Local residents have praised the Bangiriposi police for acting promptly on the information and intercepting the tanker before it could proceed further towards its suspected destination.
They said the timely intervention helped prevent the cattle from being transported further under hazardous and potentially cruel conditions.
Police officials are now working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and identify others who may be connected with the alleged cattle smuggling operation. The investigation is expected to focus on the origin and destination of the cattle, the ownership and modification of the tanker, and the possible involvement of a wider network.
Calls for Action Against Entire Network
The latest incident has once again raised concerns among local residents over alleged cattle smuggling in Odisha. They said that despite measures taken by the administration to curb illegal transportation of cattle, such incidents continue to surface.
Residents have called for stringent action not only against the driver and helper allegedly involved in transporting the cattle, but also against those operating and financing such networks. They stressed the need for investigators to trace the entire chain involved in the alleged illegal trade rather than limiting the action to the persons found transporting the animals.
