Four pickup vehicles mobile phones and other valuables worth ₹13.34 lakh seized from the accused
NEW DELHI — Muslims in India have been facing increasing persecution in the name of cow protection, with cow vigilante groups attacking and lynching them over suspicions of beef consumption or cattle smuggling.
These vigilante groups, often affiliated with Hindutva organisations, have been emboldened by the current government’s policies, leading to a surge in violence and intimidation against Muslims. The situation has become so dire that even transporting cattle or possessing beef can lead to brutal attacks and even death.
In stark contrast, a recent operation by the Chhattisgarh police highlights the selective application of the law. Nine Hindu men were arrested for alleged involvement in interstate cow smuggling. This action demonstrates that the law can be enforced when it comes to addressing cow smuggling, regardless of the perpetrators’ religion. It raises questions about why similar actions are not taken against Hindu vigilantes who target Muslims under the guise of cow protection, often with impunity
In the major crackdown on Wednesday, besides arresting the Hindu men, Chhattisgarh’s Khairagarh police seized four pickup vehicles used for transporting the animals, along with mobile phones and other valuables worth ₹13.34 lakh.
The action came after police received a tip-off that several smugglers were transporting cows from Chhattisgarh to Madhya Pradesh. Acting swiftly, a team from the Khairagarh police station set up a checkpoint on the Balaghat Road and began intensive vehicle checks.
The drivers of the intercepted vehicles were unable to produce valid documents for cattle transportation.
Police have registered four separate FIRs (Crime Nos. 467/25, 468/25, 469/25, 470/25) under various Sections 4, 6, and 10 of the Chhattisgarh Agricultural Cattle Preservation Act, 2004, Section 11(1)(D)(E)(F) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Hemraj Dahre, Lakesh Vasudev, Chhabi Vasudev, Satesh Vasudev, Sagar Vasudev, Narendra Maskhare, Nohar Kusam, Santosh Lilhare, and Krishnakumar, all residents of Balaghat and Balodabazar districts.
According to police sources, the accused were running the organised network for a long time.
Superintendent of Police Lakshya Sharma praised the Khairagarh police team for the successful operation and said that any form of cattle smuggling or cruelty towards animals will not be tolerated in the district.
