Dhenkanal: Tension prevailed near Gondia bus stand in this district after four cattle-laden trucks were seized by locals Sunday.
The drivers and the persons accompanying the trucks fled the scene when the people intercepted their vehicles. According to reports, over 300 cattle were being transported to Kolkata in the trucks via Chandikhole in Jajpur district.
Police reached the spot and brought the situation under control. Locals after seizing the trucks handed them over to the police and released the cattle.
The incident sparked tension among the residents who claimed that the police have turned a blind eye to cattle smuggling despite cattle-laden trucks often plying on this route towards Jajpur and Bhadrak districts.
Balaram Parida, sarpanch Poruhakhoja panchayat, alleged the police have done little to check cattle smuggling despite their attention being drawn towards this several times in the past. The residents have even handed over the seized vehicles used in cattle smuggling to the police but no action has come from the police.
Gondia IIC Nirupama Jena ruled out the involvement of police in cattle smuggling stating that some persons with vested interests are trying to defame the police. A case was registered in this connection and a further investigation was on, she said.
PNN