Khalasi and Aide Held as Driver Flees, 45 Animals Sent to Katras Gaushala
Key Points:
- Consignment loaded in Nawada was headed for West Bengal
- Twenty-three cows and 22 bullocks found alive in container
- Container seized, raids on to trace the absconding driver
DHANBAD – A container carrying 51 cattle has been intercepted on NH-19 in Topchanchi, with 45 animals found alive and six dead inside the vehicle.
Police acted on a tip-off on Monday. The vehicle was stopped and searched on the highway.
The consignment was moving from Bihar towards West Bengal. Topchanchi police station staff carried out the interception.
Moreover, the manner of loading drew attention during the search. The animals had been packed one above the other.
They had been stuffed inside in an inhuman way, police said. The condition of the cattle was described as severe.
The driver fled from the spot during the action. Police arrested the khalasi and one associate.
Besides, questioning of the arrested men revealed the route. The cattle had been loaded in Nawada district of Bihar.
West Bengal was the destination, according to that account. The Howrah-New Delhi highway was being used for the transport.
All surviving animals were handed over afterwards. They were taken to Shri Ganga Gaushala at Katras.
In addition, the animals were given water on arrival. Green fodder was provided to them there.
A count was carried out at the site. It yielded 51 cattle in all.
Twenty-three cows and 22 bullocks were alive. Four cows and two bullocks were found dead.
Sub-inspector Sapan Kumar Mahto of Topchanchi police station described the action. He said the team stopped the vehicle after the tip-off reached them.
“The animals had been packed with extreme cruelty,” he said. Verification confirmed the final count of 51, he added.
However, the case has not closed with the seizure. The container has been taken into police custody.
Questioning of the arrested men is continuing. Raids are on to trace the driver who fled.
Meanwhile, the legal course has been set out. Sections relating to animal cruelty and cattle smuggling are being applied.
Similar interceptions have been reported across the region this year. Three cows were recovered in a Seraikela cattle case in July.
On the other hand, some carriers have escaped arrest. Two animals were found after a Scorpio crashed in East Singhbhum.
Another driver fled during a vehicle checking drive earlier. Complaints about the trade have also reached senior officers.
The VHP had urged the SSP to curb cow smuggling in border areas. A procession on the issue was announced for July 27.
Adityapur has seen a related campaign as well. A demand was raised for every industry to keep one cow.
Highway policing in Dhanbad has produced other seizures too. RPF teams recovered smuggled beer at the railway station in July.
