Argus News - 32 Locations Raided In Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj as Odisha Police Adopts Zero Tolerance Against Cattle Mafia

Balasore/Bhadrak/Baripada, Apr 7: Adopting a zero-tolerance policy against cattle smuggling, Odisha Police conducted simultaneous raids at 32 locations across three districts under the Eastern Range in the state early Tuesday morning, seizing over Rs 50 lakh in cash, large quantities of gold jewellery and property documents, officials said.

According to our source from the ground, live cattle were also rescued during the operation, while firearms and other weapons were recovered from the accused.

The large-scale operation was carried out in Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj districts under the supervision of Eastern Range DIG Pinak Mishra and led by the respective Superintendents of Police. A total of 18 platoons of police force — six in each district — were deployed during the raids.

Police said more than Rs 50 lakh in cash and substantial quantities of gold ornaments were seized. Weapons allegedly kept by cattle smugglers to evade arrest were also confiscated.

As many as four persons were detained in Balasore, six in Bhadrak and around six in Mayurbhanj at the time of filing this report. Several accused are still absconding, and efforts are underway to apprehend them.

DIG Mishra issued a direct warning, reiterating that police have adopted a “zero tolerance” approach against cattle mafia activities.

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District-wise Details
In Balasore, raids were conducted at nine locations. Key areas such as Kansei Mohalla, where accused Diesel Raja and Sheikh Hafiz managed to flee, a source said.

In Soro police station limits near Barikpur, raids were conducted at the residences of the accused Israfil and Mangal. One person has been detained and is being questioned.

In Khaira police station limits at Mustafabad village under Balasore's Sardang panchayat, police raided the house of Mehboob Khan and seized Rs 12.68 lakh in cash, gold and silver ornaments, and documents related to 12 land plots. Vehicles used in cattle smuggling, including trucks and escort vehicles, were also seized. However, Khan remains absconding.

In Bhadrak, raids were conducted at eight locations. Weapons including revolvers, knives and swords were seized along with over Rs 20 lakh in cash and more than 1 kg of gold, our soure from the ground said.

Police identified several accused in Bhadrak district, including Mohammad Ali Akhtar, Babi Khan, Mubarrak Khan, Sekh Nasir, Sheikh Asidul Qadri and Din Mohammad.

In Mayurbhanj, raids were conducted at 15 locations across seven police station areas, including Baripada, Rairangpur, Jharpokharia, Bangriposi, and Baisinga.

In Rairangpur, police raided the house of accused Sheikh Masid Jamal and seized Rs 9 lakh in cash, gold ornaments worth over Rs 15 lakh, a Mahindra Scorpio car and a motorcycle.

Police sources said Jamal was the main mastermind behind cattle smuggling, allegedly coordinating the transportation of cattle from Odisha to West Bengal.