Assam: 65 cattle-laden vehicles seized in Nagaon after late-night police operation

More than 1,000 cattle were reportedly intercepted while being allegedly transported illegally in a late-night operation at Rangalu in Jakhalabandha, Nagaon district, police said.

The interception took place around midnight on Sunday when Jakhalabandha Police were conducting checks on vehicles transporting cattle. Police initially encountered more than 85 cattle-laden vehicles, several of which allegedly fled the area after drivers and suspected cattle transporters abandoned their vehicles.

During the operation, 65 vehicles carrying cattle were eventually brought to the Jakhalabandha police station for further action. Each vehicle was reportedly carrying between 10 and 17 cattle.

The vehicles, many of them Bolero pickups and Tata DI vehicles, were allegedly transporting cattle in overcrowded conditions. Several cattle reportedly died during transit.

According to the information available, the cattle were being transported from Upper Assam towards Rupohi in Nagaon district. The exact number of cattle involved is yet to be officially confirmed.

The operation also led to tension among local residents, who expressed concern over the alleged manner in which the animals were being transported. Residents suspected that some of the cattle could have been stolen and demanded action against those involved in the transportation.

Local residents also checked several cattle-laden vehicles during the operation. Following their intervention, police seized 65 vehicles and brought them to the police station.

Questions have also been raised over the handling of the checking operation, with reports that around five cattle-laden vehicles were allowed to leave and that several other vehicles managed to flee before the seizure of the 65 vehicles.

Further investigation is expected to establish the ownership of the cattle, the legality of their transportation and the identity of those involved.