The Muslim minority in India quite often faces persecution in the name of cow protection, with attacks on them by cow vigilante groups on the pretext of alleged cow smuggling, leading to barbarity that goes till death.
However, in a recent operation by the Chhattisgarh police, nine Hindu men were reportedly arrested for involvement in interstate cow smuggling. These men have been identified as Hemraj Dahre, Lakesh Vasudev, Chhabi Vasudev, Satesh Vasudev, Sagar Vasudev, Narendra Maskhare, Nohar Kusam, Santosh Lilhare, and Krishnakumar, all residents of Balaghat and Balodabazar districts.
Chhattisgarh’s Khairagarh police reportedly nabbed four pickup vehicles used for transporting the animals. Alongside this, mobile phones and other valuables worth Rs. 13.34 lakh were also seized.
Acting on a tip-off about suspected cattle smuggling from Chhattisgarh to Madhya Pradesh, Khairagarh police launched a swift operation on Balaghat Road. A team from the local police station set up a checkpoint and initiated thorough vehicle inspections in an effort to intercept the smugglers.
Four Separate FIRs Registered
Police have reportedly lodged four separate FIRs (Crime Nos. 467/25, 468/25, 469/25, 470/25) under various Sections 4, 6, and 10 of the Chhattisgarh Agricultural Cattle Preservation Act, 2004, Section 11(1)(D)(E)(F) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Superintendent of Police Lakshya Sharma lauded the Khairagarh police team for their swift and effective action in intercepting the cattle smugglers. He affirmed that the district police will take a zero-tolerance approach towards cattle smuggling and any acts of cruelty against animals.
