Industry Odisha Bureau, April 7: In a major crackdown against cattle mafia in the State, the Police have launched raids at 32 places in three north Odisha districts on Tuesday morning and seized over Rs 50 lakh cash, huge gold ornaments, firearms, weapons, etc.
On the instruction of the State Government and DGP YB Khurania, the police have launched searches at 32 locations in connection with illegal cattle transportation and smuggling, DIG (eastern range) Pinak Mishra told media persons.
The places were identified earlier during an investigation as some people were indulging in the illegal practice like an organised crime, he said.
Eight additional SP rank officers, 17 DSP rank officers, 25 inspectors, 67 other police officers, along with 18 platoons of police force, have been engaged in the raids, he said.
“As per preliminary report, we have seized Rs 50 lakh cash, a huge quantity of gold and silver ornaments, several vehicles used in the illegal activity, firearms and other weapons were also seized during the raids,” Mishra said, adding that around 15 persons have been detained.
Along with cash, firearms and other weapons were recovered, indicating that the cattle smuggling network was operating as an organised crime syndicate. “We are implementing a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy against those involved in illegal cattle smuggling,” Mishra added.
So far, six individuals have been detained in Bhadrak, four in Balasore, and five in Mayurbhanj. While a few suspects managed to escape, police are confident they will be apprehended soon. Further details will be provided after completion of the search operation, he added.
The DIG further said, “Balasore and Mayurbhanj serve as major transit routes for cattle smuggling. We suspect that the smugglers were transporting cattle to neighbouring states. They have been using vehicles and even walking along less-patrolled routes to avoid detection.”
As the raids were underway, the police have so far recovered cash of over Rs 20 lakhs, gold ornaments, vehicles, firearms and other properties from the possession of cattle mafia in Bhadrak district, SP Manoj Rout told reporters.
The SP said that these people were allegedly engaged in illegal cattle transportation. He said police teams searched five houses in Purunabazar under Bhadrak town and three houses belonging to the suspected cattle mafia in Gujidarada Panchayat from the early hours of the morning.
Stating that the raids were conducted based on apprehensions of possible law and order in the Bhadrak, Rout said five persons were detained for questioning. To ensure smooth execution of the raids, six platoons of armed police were deployed, along with six inspectors and two DSPs, the SP added.
Speaking to reporters, Balasore SP Pratyush Diwaker said nine police teams, including officers and six platoons of police force, have launched the search operation at different locations in the district.
Vehicles, cash, raw meat, property documents and valuables were seized and several persons detained during the raids, he said.
“We will continue our efforts and enforcement against illegal cattle smuggling,” the Balasore SP said. Police said search is being conducted at 15 locations spread across seven police station areas, like Baripada Town, Bhanjpur, Jharpokharia, Suliapada, Bangriposi, Baisinga and Badampahad in Mayurbhanj district.
