Police vs. Cattle Mafia Clash: 5 Arrested, 2 Weapons Seized From Country, 25 Cattle Rescued

Keonjhar: As part of a large-scale crackdown on the illegal cattle transport mafia, police conducted a raid on the illegal cattle transport ring and seized four vehicles loaded with cattle at Pithagola village under Harichandanpur police station in Keonjhar district.

The raiding team also arrested five persons allegedly involved in the illegal activities. They have been identified as Arif Khan, Sk Haqim, Sonu Mohammad, Deepak Kalindi and Debu Kalandi, police said.

Twenty-five cattle were rescued during the operation. The seized vehicles are three pick-up vans and one Mahindra XUV. Two land guns were also seized by the police from the smugglers.

During the raid, the mob opened fire on the police, leading to a retaliatory attack. Arif Khan sustained bullet wounds in both legs and is currently undergoing treatment at SCB Medical Cuttack. Two policemen were also injured in the exchange of fire.

Two cases have been registered under various sections of the IPC, the Arms Act and the Cruelty to Animals Act at Harichandanpur and Pandapada police stations in the district.