VHP-Bajrang Dal activists caught smuggling 56 cows in Ferozepur

VHP-Bajrang Dal activists caught smuggling 56 cows in Ferozepur

HARISH MONGA

Ferozepur, May 30, 2024: On Tuesday late at night, the activists of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal stopped three trucks loaded with cows, near Octroi Post number 7, being transported from Amritsar to Gujarat and handed them over to the police.

Ajay Kumar, Harish Goyal, Vihay Behal and others informed us that the protection of cows is our priority. The moment the trucks reached Zira were tracked by the cow protectors. The cows were to be transported from Amritsar to Gujarat via Zira and Bathinda and following them, they changed their routes and reached Ferozepur where they were intercepted and informed to the police. The trucks loaded with cows, covered with tarpaulins were having difficulty breathing. The drivers identified as Jagtar Singh of village Sathiali, Makhan Singh of Hemrajpur in Gurdaspur and Anup Singh of village Satiali and three trucks, bearing registration No.PB07AF3695, PB11AT73965 and PB06AV2729, loaded with 56 cows, could not produce any documents of ownership of cows, doctors’ permission, ‘bilty’ (Booking receipt) etc. were taken into custody by the police.  They have been booked under Sections 429, 120-B of IPC and 3.8 of The Punjab Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act 1955, 11 Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act 1960.    They have been charged with smuggling helpless cows to kill them, loaded in trucks beyond capacity and keeping them hungry, which has hurt the sentiments of the Hindu society.

On the other hand, the truck drivers informed us that they were transporting the cows for selling purposes and they had the concerned documents.  However, the police official Ravinder Singh informed us that the matter is under investigation and we are verifying the documents available with the drivers only after verification, further action will be initiated.

The government plan seems to have been ineffective in curbing the rampant illegal transportation of beef and cattle smuggling. VHP-Bajrang Dal activists appealed to the district administration to set up police check posts at major entry points along the inter-state border, create control rooms to receive complaints regarding illegal trafficking or movement of cattle and raise awareness on animal welfare laws.