Chhatrapur: Chamakhandi police in Ganjam district intercepted a container truck allegedly transporting buffaloes illegally on National Highway 16 Tuesday and arrested three people.
Police rescued 37 buffaloes from the vehicle and arrested the driver, helper and caretaker. Those arrested were identified as Sachin Balian, 34, of Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh; Akhiluddin Mallick, 30, of Upartapanda village under Basta police limits in Baleshwar district; and Shahid Khan, 30. Police said the truck was spotted during a joint checking operation with an NHAI patrol team.
When signalled to stop, the driver allegedly accelerated and tried to flee. Police chased the vehicle for about 2-3 kilometres before intercepting it near Kaliabali junction. The buffaloes were found with their legs and mouths tied, police said.
Preliminary investigation showed that the truck was travelling from Dhenkanal to Andhra Pradesh. A case, No. 357/2026, was registered at Chamakhandi police station. All three accused were produced in court, Chamakhandi IIC Sradhanjali Subudhi said.
