Hyderabad: Police seized a container carrying over 100 cows in Dhammapeta after Bhagyanagar Go Rakshak members intercepted the vehicle. The animals were reportedly being transported from Odisha towards Hyderabad under poor conditions.
The Bhagyanagar Go Rakshak team had received information about suspected cattle smuggling in Dhammapeta. Accordingly, its members kept watch along the road to identify vehicles involved in the alleged illegal transport.
Meanwhile, the team noticed a container approaching from the Kovvur side. Members tried to stop the vehicle after finding its movement suspicious.
However, the driver did not stop and instead increased the vehicle’s speed. As a result, the Go Rakshak members followed the container in their vehicles for several kilometres.
The chase continued until the team managed to block the container near the outskirts of Dhammapeta. They then stopped the vehicle and checked its rear section.
On opening the container, the team found more than 100 cows packed tightly inside. The animals were reportedly being transported in conditions with very little ventilation.
Several cows had fallen over one another inside the confined space. Some animals also appeared to have become unwell during the journey, according to the team.
Cattle smuggling in Dhammapeta leads to police action
Following the discovery, the Go Rakshak members immediately informed local police. Police reached the spot, took control of the container and moved it to the Dhammapeta police station.
Police detained the driver and cleaner of the lorry and began questioning them. The authorities were also making arrangements to shift the cows to a safe location for proper care.
The incident followed information about the suspected movement of a large number of cows from Odisha to Hyderabad. The Go Rakshak team had monitored the route before spotting the container coming from the Kovvur side.
Subsequently, the vehicle chase ended near Dhammapeta, where the team stopped the container. The cattle were then handed over to the police for further action.
The case involved allegations of illegal cattle transportation. Police were questioning the driver and cleaner as part of their investigation into the movement of the animals.