Koraput (Jayapur): Police arrested three persons and rescued 32 cattle during a naka checking operation under the Jayapur Town Police Station limits of Koraput district on Friday, officials said.
The accused have been identified as Kasim Khan (26) of Kunduraguda village under Boriguma Police Station limits, and Puntu Nag (22) and Badal Anil Kumar (31), both residents of Hyderabad.
According to Jayapur SDPO Archita Mittal, police intercepted two vehicles during early morning naka checking—an SUV suspected of acting as an escort vehicle and a truck carrying cattle.
On inspection of the truck, police found 32 cattle, including 27 cows and 5 bullocks. Officials said the accused failed to produce valid documents for the transportation of the animals.
Police further noted that the cattle were tied in a cruel manner, with visible injury marks on their bodies, indicating possible mistreatment during transit. Following verification, it was confirmed that the transportation was illegal, leading to the arrest of all three persons involved.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the cattle were procured from the Kotpad area and were being transported to Andhra Pradesh. Police said further investigation is underway to identify others involved in the network and trace the full supply chain of the smuggling operation.
