Mayurbhanj: A cow was burnt alive and four others sustained critical burn injuries after a pick-up van carrying cattle overturned on the roadside at Podadiha Chhak under Kaptipada police limits in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district on Monday night.
According to reports, the incident occurred when cattle smugglers were transporting eight cows from Thankurmunda area in a pick-up van last night. The vehicle overturned on the roadside near Podadiha Chhak and caught fire.
One of the eight cows in the vehicle was burnt alive while four others sustained critical burn injuries. Locals reached the spot and rescued the remaining cows from the burning vehicle.
On being informed, the Fire Services personnel reached the spot and doused the fire. The cows were rescued in critical condition. The pick-up van was completely reduced to ashes. The cattle smuggler took the crashed vehicle away overnight and buried the dead cow in a pit. One seriously injured cow was left on the roadside to fend for itself.