Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur

Kundapur, Aug 28: In the wake of increasing number of cattle trafficking cases in the taluk, the Kundapur police have decided to take measures to put a break on such cases. In an unexpected development, the police personnel, acting under the directions of district superintendent of police (SP) Annamalai, on Friday August 28 summoned about 15 persons having previous records of cattle thefts, and issued them stern warning against getting involved with similar cases.

(Photos blurred on request)

Since the monsoon set in, there has been a steady raise in the number of cattle thefts in the taluk. A number of families, which were dependent upon dairying activity for a living, were left high and dry because of these cattle thieves who clandestinely stole cows and other bovine animals during the nights. Most of these thefts have occurred in rural belts of the taluk, and the cattle so stolen get immediately transported to slaughterhouses. Hence, the animals go missing without a trace.
Although there have been occasional raids and cattle thieves have been nabbed, theft of cows has turned into a serious problem. The policemen, who sat up and took notice of this situation, gave a new twist to their style of operation.

About 15 persons from the taluk, who were involved with cattle thefts in the past, were asked to appear in the police station. They were questioned and sent back with strong warning, duly telling them that they would be required to provide surety from two persons for their release. At the same time, police will be keeping close watch on the movements of these persons.

With this act, both police circle inspector, Diwakar, and police sub-inspector, have sent a strong signal to the thieves that they will not be able to go Scot free after committing this kind of crimes. It is expected that the interrogation of people with previous records of thefts will provide a positive turn to the efforts being made to arrest cattle thefts. Dairy farmers all over the taluk have been frustrated at the illegal cattle trafficking and cattle thefts, and there have been occasions when entire cattle sheds were emptied by the thieves. The cows released to graze outside are sure to be stolen if the families are a little late in bringing them back to their homes in the evening. There is information that the stolen cattle reach slaughterhouses, and that beef commands high price in the black market.

Aged cows, bullocks, and bulls get sold for beef, and brokers operate at village level to conduct this business. They fix a rate and then convey information to cattle traffickers. It is said that at night the old cattle are delivered at a pre-determined spot. The people have expressed apprehension about the movement of people seen to be using Omni vans at night in deserted roads with torches in hands.

With the personal intervention of the district superintendent of police and the police department showing willingness to take on these thieves, there are hopes that more and more accused will get caught and the number of cattle thefts will fall steeply.