KUMUD JENAMANI
Jamshedpur, Oct 28: As the smuggling of bovines from Odisha to Bengal clandestinely in public carriers through Baharagora in Jharkhand was suspected to be a regular affair, the recent seizure of 20 cattle from a petrol tanker on NH-6 seems to have brought the racket in the focus of the public domain.
Encouraged by the successful action against the cattle smugglers, the Baharagora police intensified its patrolling on a just four-km-long stretch that falls under its jurisdiction between Odisha and Bengal.
“Till recently, we were dependent on tips off by informers about the cow smuggling in public vehicles, but we have started remaining vigilant against such illegal acts by carrying out patrolling of the strategic stretch on the NH,” said Baharagora thana OC, Santan Kumar Tiwari while talking to lagatar.24.com.
Tiwari pointed out that while keeping an eye on the public carriers, the patrolling party is keeping even ambulances on the radar.
Acting on a tip-off, the police had on October 25 early hours intercepted a petrol tanker at
Kaliadanga bridge on the NH under Baharagora thana area and rescued 20 bovines from inside the tanker.
The cattle which included eight cows and six calves were tied with ropes by their necks and legs and were thrust into the vehicle in the cruellest way. Two other bovines were found dead inside the tanker. The police seized the tanker having arrested its driver identified as Sheikh Siraz whereas two others managed to escape.
On an earlier occasion, the police had seized as many as five containers used for smuggling the bovines. The containers originally meant for courier items were being used for carrying the cattle and those vehicles are still seized on the premises of Baharagora PS.
OC, Baharagora PS Tiwari said in the year 2021, all 144 bovines were recovered while being carried from Odisha to Bengal. He said in the current year so far 69 bovines have been recovered by them, pointing out that it was for the first time that the cattle were being smuggled in an oil tanker.
The bovines are being smuggled to Bengal from Odisha for slaughtering purposes. Sources in the police said the cattle being taken to Bengal were finally smuggled into Bangladesh where they are sold at a high price.
Cow slaughtering is banned in Jharkhand following an Act promulgated in 2005. The slaughtering is also banned in Odisha but the inability of the Odisha police to act against such cattle smugglers active in the neighbouring state is giving rise to this interstate racket maintains a senior police officer here in Baharagora.
Significantly, BJP leader and former legislator from Baharagora, Kunal Sarangi said smuggling of bovines from Odisha to Bengal on regular basis can not be possible without the support of some political elements active in Baharagora.
“The present Baharagora PS OC, Santan Kumar Tiwari is undoubtedly working very effectively in cracking the bovines smuggling, but there were several police officers posted in Baharagora PS and the adjoining Barsole PS bordering Bengal who used to give in to the pressure put by the local politicians whenever any vehicle loaded with bovines would be seized, ” said Sarangi adding that the district police administration should give special attention to check the cattle smuggling through Baharagora.
