Jhumpura/Raisuan: Amid allegation of illegal cattle trade going on unchecked in Keonjhar district, police seized two trucks with the same registration number carrying 34 cattle at Kathbaunsuli Saturday.
Six persons were detained in this connection, while another truck managed to escape from the spot, locals said. The cattle were rescued.
Locals claimed many trucks with same registration number have been engaged in illegally trafficking cattle to West Bengal on a daily basis, but the police have failed to take note of this.
Some local people detained the trucks moving on the Haripasi-Nagarpal road in the morning and informed the police.
Preliminary investigation revealed that both the vehicles had registration number-OD-17K 0708 and were heading towards Midnapore in West Bengal. Police have detained six persons while three others managed to escape.
They were identified as Abdul Sheikh (West Bengal), Mahadev Mandal (West Bengal), Hemkit Khan (West Bengal), Anil Mirdha (Bargarh), Gagan Mohant (Mahuladiha) and Lalit Manik (Bargarh).
Locals said illegal cattle trade has been thriving in Haripasi, Nagarpal, Kathabaunsuli, Dhanurjaypur and other areas and the racket is linked to West Bengal.
Vehicular movement on the road came to a standstill for three hours with the situation remaining tense. SDPO Sriharsha Mishra was present at the spot.
Locals accused the police of giving tacit support to a cattle-trading racket operating in the area.
The SDPO said the matter will be investigated and the guilty will be punished.
