36 suspected cattle smugglers arrested, 106 livestock rescued in Assam’s Biswanath

At least 36 people suspected of cattle smuggling were arrested and 106 livestock rescued during an operation in Assam’s Biswanath district, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Monday, August 24.

The operation was conducted on Sunday evening after police received information about the alleged transportation of cattle, Biswanath district Senior Superintendent of Police Ashif Ahmed said.

According to the SSP, police intercepted 10 pickup vans and mini-trucks at Sootea Tiniali and Pavoi Ali and found the cattle being transported in what he described as “very cruel conditions”.

The vehicles were also found to be carrying cattle without valid documents, Ahmed said.

“Strict action continues against cow smugglers. @BiswanathPol has conducted a major operation, safely rescuing 106 livestock from 10 vehicles transporting them in inhumane conditions, and arresting 36 accused individuals,” Sarma said in a post on X.

Legal action has been initiated against the 36 accused, the SSP said.

The arrested persons are being questioned to establish the alleged forward and backward linkages of the network, Ahmed said.

Initial investigation has indicated that the cattle were sourced from different parts of Lakhimpur, Majuli, the Arunachal Pradesh border and Biswanath district, he said.

According to the police, the animals were allegedly loaded from different markets without valid documentation and were being transported towards Nagaon and Tezpur in Assam and neighbouring Meghalaya.

The rescued livestock have been taken into custody as further investigation into the alleged smuggling network is underway.