In a late-night operation, a brazen attempt by cattle smugglers to steal from a gaushala in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh district was thwarted, thanks to the vigilance of local residents and prompt police response. The incident occurred on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, but the criminals managed to flee the scene before authorities could apprehend them.
Alert Locals and Swift Police Response
The drama unfolded in the Parnkunda area, falling under the Ajmatgarh development block and the jurisdiction of the Jiyanpur police station. According to Azamgarh's ASP (Rural) Chirag Jain, the cattle smugglers raided the cattle shed under the cover of darkness. However, their plans were disrupted when alert locals and the village head noticed the suspicious activity and immediately informed the police.
Despite the swift alert, the smugglers had a head start. By the time police teams and villagers reached the site, the perpetrators had abandoned their vehicle and escaped into the night. Police seized the cattle-laden van left behind at the scene.
Rescue and Investigation
Upon securing the vehicle, law enforcement officials unloaded four cattle from the van. The rescued animals were safely handed back to the gaushala. ASP Jain confirmed that police have launched a manhunt, with teams actively working to arrest the fleeing cattle smugglers and initiate legal proceedings against them.
Officials Inspect Gaushala, Find Security Lapses
The incident prompted a series of high-level inspections on Sunday. SDM Sagdi arrived at the spot to assess the situation. They were joined by Chief Development Officer Parikshit Khatana, ADM Administration Rahul Vishwakarma, and Chief Veterinary Officer Mukesh Gupta, who conducted a thorough inspection of the gaushala facilities.
The inspection revealed significant security concerns. Officials found that only one person, identified as Pappu Shahi, was staying at the gaushala premises. Shockingly, no proper security arrangements were in place to protect the animals, despite the shelter housing a total of 90 cattle. This lapse likely made the gaushala an easy target for the smugglers.
The successful prevention of this theft highlights the crucial role community vigilance plays in combating cattle smuggling. However, the escape of the smugglers and the exposed security flaws at the shelter point to the need for more robust protective measures and faster police interdiction capabilities in rural areas.
