Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police on Saturday launched a large-scale crackdown on alleged cattle smuggling networks, carrying out simultaneous raids at 46 locations across Bhadrak, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Khurda districts, a senior officer said.
The early morning operation was conducted by multiple police teams comprising two Additional Superintendents of Police, five Deputy Superintendents of Police, 25 inspectors, 36 sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors, along with 18 platoons of force. During the raids conducted till evening, the police seized cash amounting to ₹1.52 crore, gold weighing 1 kg and 131 grams, 3.80 kg of silver, 23 four-wheelers, 23 two-wheelers, 13 mobile phones and 21 wristwatches.
Keonjhar Superintendent of Police Nitin Kusalkar said 10 alleged cattle smugglers were apprehended during the operation and properties worth around ₹50 crore were detected as proceeds of illegal cattle trafficking. The assets include house buildings, bank deposits, land and other valuables. He said the properties would be confiscated under the provisions of Section 107 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), adding that the raids were still in progress and would continue till completion.
The arrested persons were identified as SK Rajan alias Tajudin of Bhadrak; Tipu Sultan, Kunu Sahu, Arjun Sahu, SK Akbar, Nasir and Sipu Sahu of Keonjhar district; and Mrutunjaya Mohapatra, Sujit Mohanty and K Naim of Mayurbhanj district.
Explaining the motive behind the coordinated action, the SP said the police had decided to dismantle the cattle smuggling network after an incident nearly a year ago in which cow smugglers attacked a police van and ran their vehicle over police personnel. Following that attack, police resolved to take stringent action by identifying the network, arresting those involved and seizing their illegally acquired assets.
In Bhadrak town, a large police team led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police, along with three inspectors, six sub-inspectors and two platoons of personnel, conducted a raid at the residence of a suspected cattle smuggler. The search led to the recovery of over ₹70 lakh in cash, gold ornaments, two SUVs and other valuables. Sudarshan Gangoi, Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Keonjhar Sadar, said several cases were already pending against the accused in different police stations. He added that further searches were underway to trace additional assets.
Meanwhile, police faced resistance during a raid at Tentoposhi village in Mayurbhanj district, where locals strongly protested the operation. When officers attempted to seize a four-wheeler, a large group of villagers, including women, surrounded the police team and allegedly let the air out of the vehicle’s tyres to prevent its removal. Despite the obstruction, police said the operation would continue as part of their ongoing drive against illegal cattle trafficking in the state.
