Balasore, April 7 – On Tuesday, the Odisha police launched a coordinated raid against cattle smuggling gangs in at least 35 locations across Mayurbhanj, Balasore, and Bhadrak districts, an official said.
"Following the instructions of the DGP, we have conducted searches at 32 locations related to illegal cattle transportation and smuggling," said DIG (eastern range) Pinak Mishra to media persons. "These locations were identified during an investigation as some individuals were involved in this illegal activity as an organized crime."
Eight additional SP-rank officers, 17 DSP-rank officers, 25 inspectors, 67 other police officers, along with 18 platoons of police force, were involved in the raids, he said. One platoon of police force consists of 30 personnel.
"According to preliminary reports, we have seized approximately Rs 50 lakh in cash, a large quantity of gold and silver ornaments, several vehicles used in the illegal activity, firearms, and other weapons," Mishra said, adding that around 15 people have been detained.
The seizure of firearms and other weapons indicates that cattle smuggling was being carried out as an organized crime, the DIG said, adding that several cases related to illegal cattle transportation have been registered in all three districts in recent times.
He further said, "We have zero tolerance towards cattle smuggling. Therefore, we have launched this operation, which is currently in progress."
Further details will be provided after the completion of the search operation, he added.
As the raids were underway, the police have so far recovered over Rs 20 lakh in cash, gold ornaments, vehicles, firearms, and other property from the possession of cattle smuggling gangs in the Bhadrak district, SP Manoj Rout told reporters.
The SP said that these individuals were allegedly involved in illegal cattle transportation. He said that police teams searched five houses in Purunabazar under Bhadrak town and three houses belonging to suspected cattle smuggling gangs in Gujidarada Panchayat from early in the morning.
Stating that the raids were conducted based on apprehensions of possible law and order issues in Bhadrak, Rout said five people were detained for questioning. To ensure smooth execution of the raids, six platoons of armed police were deployed, along with six inspectors and two DSPs, the SP added.
Speaking to reporters, Balasore SP Pratyush Diwaker said nine police teams, including officers and six platoons of police force, have launched the search operation at different locations in the district.
Vehicles, cash, raw meat, property documents and valuables were seized and several persons were detained during the raids, he said.
"We will continue our efforts and enforcement against illegal cattle smuggling," the Balasore SP said.
Police officers said that the search is being conducted at 15 locations spread across seven police station areas, including Baripada Town, Bhanjpur, Jharpokharia, Suliapada, Bangriposi, Baisinga and Badampahad.
"Large sums of cash, gold and silver ornaments, bank passbooks, property documents, vehicles used for illegal transportation of cattle have been seized. Two accused persons have also been apprehended. Further search is continuing," a senior police officer said.
