Four trucks with cattle seized, four arrested

From our Correspondent

DIGBOI, Feb 4: Lekhapani Police, with assistance from a team of Ledo Police Station in Tinsukia district, seized four trucks laden with 89 cattle being transported in violation with the existing cattle transporting provisions, besides arresting four drivers here at Ledo recently after an intense chase.

According to Lakhapani Police, the cattle-laden trucks were tracked at Jagun Ghat. The cattle were being taken to the Bordumsa Thursday weekly market to be transported to

Margherita, later to be supplied to gaon. The consignment was then held on the way by Ledo Police and handed over to Lekhapani Police.

The arrested drivers, who were prosecuted u/s 379 , RW 11(a)/(d) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act 1960, were identified as Mustafijur Rahman (22) of Guruwati bazaar of Samuguri in goan, Abdul Harim  and (20) zrul Islam (21), both belonging to  Samuguri Bogamur in gaon,  and Saiful Islam (27) of Samuguri Biejia village in gaon.

Meanwhile, for infringing the provisions specified in the Prevention of Cruelty Animal Act, vehicles too have been seized. According to formal sources, all the four vehicles bearing registration number AS 02 AC 4680, AS 01 GC 3134, AS 02 AC 1113 AND AS 01 EC 6007 have been brought under police custody for further legal proceedings.

However, based on an interim order, the seized cattle have been handed over to a third party at Margherita to take care of the resource till further court order to this effect.

According to sources, a group of miscreants from Margherita area have been active in the trade and carrying on the cattle business illegally, dusting the eyes of the security agencies and other authorities, including the district administration. “Hundreds of cattle are driven through Wagun village in Bordumsa from morning to evening on Thursday and sometimes on Monday and other suitable days. The cattle reach Jagun Ghat where they are loaded into huge trucks and transported,” said a villager.