UP police crack down on cattle smuggling: 30 arrested, 33 cops transferred

On September 16, police had said villagers in Chhatradhari spotted a group of alleged cattle smugglers in two pickup vans and gave chase. One of the vehicles got stuck on a narrow road, forcing its occupants to flee. But locals had managed to catch one of the alleged cattle smugglers, Azhar alias Azam Hussain (32), and beat him up.

Hailing from Bihar’s Gopalganj district, he had been undergoing treatment since Tuesday after police rescued him from the mob. Following news of his death, his family members reached Gorakhpur to claim the body. They have not filed any complaint so far, said the police.

Confirming Hussain’s death, Gorakhpur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Raj Karan Nayyar said two other suspects, whose involvement has been established during the investigation, are still absconding.

So far, four men — Chottu, Raju, Ramlal and Mohammad Raheem — have been arrested in connection with the ‘cattle smuggling’ incident. Raheem was arrested following a shootout in neighbouring Kushinagar district on Wednesday, during which he sustained a bullet injury to his leg.

All four were produced before a local court, which remanded them in judicial custody.

Ops intensified

As part of the operations, investigators are reviewing old records of known cattle smugglers to map their networks and identify possible links. Senior police officials have initiated night patrolling in key areas, particularly focusing on routes frequently used for smuggling cattle.

In addition, officials said, the functioning of personnel posted at police stations considered sensitive in relation to cattle smuggling is being reviewed. As part of this effort, transfers and changes are being implemented to strengthen vigilance and ensure effective action against smuggling activities.

ADG Jain said in the Kushinagar district, 33 police personnel have been removed following a departmental decision. Most of those transferred were posted at Kasya and Tamkuhiraj police stations, with Tamkuhiraj located near the Bihar border.

Officials said the reshuffle also aims to strengthen surveillance along the border and ensure accountability at police stations considered vulnerable to cattle smuggling networks. The performance of police personnel who have been stationed for extended periods on highways and at border police stations is also under review, said an official.