Bhadrak: Amidst allegations of rampant illegal cattle trafficking in various parts of this district, resentment is brewing among the people against the police and the administration for their alleged tacit support to such illegal activities.
It is also said that the growing illegal cattle trafficking has been a headache for the administration that has been cracking down on the cattle smugglers. In fact, the locals have exposed the cattle smuggling in the past. Then only, the police have come into the picture, locals said.
They alleged that the police have been escorting vans carrying cattle in return for handsome monthly payouts from the smugglers, a fact known to all.
The locals also claimed that after gangster Tito’s link to cattle trafficking came to the fore, the smugglers have started choosing small vans and containers to carry on their trade.
At least 15 to 20 truckloads of cattle are trafficked from various parts of the district every night. In a recent case, two cows had died and 30 of 120 cattle heads were found in critical condition when they were being transported illegally from Kandharabatia village near Dhusuri to West Bengal.
In yet another case, locals had set ablaze a van carrying cattle at Asurali bazaar in Dharmnagar block. Locals had detained eight pick-up vans laden with cattle. An angry mob damaged seven vans over alleged cattle smuggling.
A few days before this incident, a 10-wheeler container carrying cattle from Khurda broke down at Bishnupur. Locals suspected something fishy and enquired about it. A group of hooligans escorting the container threatened the locals by brandishing sharp-edged weapons and pistols. Their brazen actions enraged the locals who went on a rampage, vandalising the container and an SUV. Over 100 cattle heads were set free.
It is alleged that cattle trafficking has been routine in Dhamnagar, Dhusuri, Basudevpur, Bhandaripokhari, Tihidi, Bant, Bhadrak Town, Purunabazaar and Bhadrak Rural police limits. Dhusuri police have been accused of facilitating cattle smuggling in return for monthly payouts.
ASP Kailash Parida said there is not enough police force to check cattle smuggling. “For this reason, a squad to check such illegal activities has not been formed. All need to cooperate while there is a need for awareness among the people to stop cattle smuggling. Action will be taken against police officials if any of them is found involved in the racket,” he added.
PNN