Police Crack Down on Inter-State Cattle Smuggling Racket in Mirzapur
In a significant development, authorities in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, have dismantled an inter-state cattle smuggling operation, leading to the arrest of four individuals. Among those apprehended are a village pradhan and the district president of Apna Dal (Kamerawadi), highlighting the involvement of local political figures in the illicit trade.
Details of the Arrests and Investigation
The racket came to light during the investigation of a cow smuggling case registered earlier this week. Police intercepted a pickup vehicle on the intervening night of January 26 and 27, recovering five cattle. The driver, Anil Prajapati alias Jhangatu (28), attempted to flee but was taken into custody after the vehicle overturned, causing him injuries.
During interrogation, Prajapati confessed to his role in the smuggling operation and revealed the names of other accused. Acting on these leads, police arrested three more individuals on Saturday:
- Shyam Bahadur Patel (56), the village pradhan of Sonbarsa and Apna Dal (K) district president.
- Dileep Kumar Ram alias Subhash (35), the owner of the pickup vehicle, a native of Bihar with three criminal cases.
- Rajesh Kol (27), the caretaker of a cow shelter.
Police noted that Patel has one criminal case registered against him, while Prajapati faces 11 cases, including charges related to cow slaughter and gang activities. Efforts are underway to apprehend Patel's son, Sonu Patel, who is also allegedly involved in the racket.
Official Statements and Context
All four accused were produced in court and remanded in judicial custody, as confirmed by Mirzapur SSP Somen Barma. Circle Officer Amar Bahadur stated, "The accused used to steal cattle from the gaushala and smuggle them to other places as part of an organised racket."
In response, Ram Snehi, media in-charge of Apna Dal (Kamerawadi), claimed that Shyam Bahadur Patel has been falsely implicated due to a misunderstanding. This assertion adds a political dimension to the case, raising questions about the accuracy of the allegations.
Background on Gaushalas in Uttar Pradesh
To provide context, Uttar Pradesh has approximately 7,500 gaushalas (cow shelters), with nearly 7,200 managed by the government and the rest by non-governmental organisations. Government-run shelters house around 12.5 lakh cattle, while NGO-run facilities accommodate about 1.25 lakh. These shelters implement tagging systems for identification to prevent theft and ensure proper monitoring, as highlighted by officials.
This incident underscores ongoing challenges in curbing cattle smuggling in the region, despite regulatory measures. The involvement of political figures and the scale of the operation suggest a need for enhanced vigilance and stricter enforcement to protect livestock and uphold the law.
