Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Nov 6: Police from Suratkal station, who were involved with routine checking of vehicles near Mukka tollgate on Saturday November 5 stumbled upon a vehicle in which 18 cattle were being illegally transported. They took custody of the vehicle.

During the operation, five out of seven occupants of the vehicle managed to run away. Two others, identified as Abubakker and Abdul Khader from Kulai, were taken into custody. Out of 18 cows, one had died. Hence, the police took into possession 17 cows which were alive.

It is gathered that the cattle were heaped in a violent way inside the vehicle which suffocated them. Their legs and mouths had been bound with ropes and the animals were heaped on one another, police said. During the questioning of the arrested accused, the police came to know that the accused had stolen the cattle which were left for grazing in rural areas around Kundapur. The cows were meant to be delivered to a slaughterhouse, they said.

A senior police officer said that the owners of stolen cattle need to follow up their complaints after filing cases of thefts. He noted that often, the accused get bail and begin their old activity again as they do not get dealt with properly because of lack of follow up action.

It is gathered that even after taking into account risks involved, stealing of cattle is a lucrative proposition in view of the fact that beef commands high price as slaughter houses face dearth of animals. Some locals say that villagers are hesitant to provide complete information to police and do follow ups, while there are complaints that many a time police officers dither from filing first information reports. Many believe that those opposed to cattle thefts are mostly limiting their action to delivering public addresses. The accused reportedly told the police that they are able to get beef worth Rs 40,000 to 75,000 from each cow.

Station house officer of Suratkal, Cheluvaraju, Kumaresh of crime intelligence bureau and others had taken part in the operation.