Keonjhar Police launched a massive crackdown on illegal cattle traders on Saturday, seizing assets worth hundreds of crores of rupees.
Superintendent of Police Nitin Kushalkar confirmed that the operation aims to dismantle organised cattle smuggling networks that have amassed wealth through illegal trade.
Police revealed that smugglers had accumulated property worth over Rs 100 crore through unlawful cattle transport, tracked via the government’s online NATGRID app. Acting on this intelligence, police began confiscating assets and arresting key masterminds.
Raids and Seizures
In coordinated raids across Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Jajpur, and Cuttack districts, police detained nine persons and seized:
- Rs 1.40 crore in cash
- 1 kg of gold and 3 kg of silver
- 11 four-wheelers and 13 two-wheelers
- Mobile phones, land documents, and bank accounts
Officials stated that by Saturday evening, assets worth over ₹100 crore would be seized under Section 107 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), with police approaching the court for further orders.
Scale of the Operation
The raids covered 46 locations, including Santarapur, Kaliahata, Telkoi, Ghasipura, Turumunga, and Jamujodi in Keonjhar; Bisoi, Karanjia, Jharpokharia, Tentoposhi, Chadheibhol, Kendrei, and Thakurmunda in Mayurbhanj; Korei in Jajpur; and several areas in Bhadrak.
The operation was led by two Additional SPs, supported by five DSPs, 25 Inspectors, 36 SIs and ASIs, and backed by 18 platoons of force.
Police noted that a year ago, cattle smugglers had attacked police vehicles and fled after attempting to run over officers. Since then, Keonjhar Police decided to take firm action under Section 112 of the BNS and organised crime laws, registering more than 20 cases against the smugglers.
SP Kushalkar said the crackdown will continue until all assets are seized and the masterminds are brought to justice. “We are committed to ensuring that organised crime does not thrive in Keonjhar and neighbouring districts,” he stated.
