Sonepur: Two dairy farmers from Odisha have accused Chhattisgarh Police of harassment and extortion while they were transporting cows under the state government’s flagship Mukhyamantri Kamadhenu Yojana.
According to complaints filed by women beneficiaries of the scheme, the incident occurred in Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh under Balda police limits. The victims were identified as Kalakanhu Nayak of Katapali village and Parakhit Dehery of Bagiabahali village in Tarbha police station area of Subarnapur district.
Their wives, Kavita Nayak and Deepa Dehery, are registered beneficiaries under the scheme through the Go Sugam portal. As per the government guidelines, the farmers had travelled to Mahasamund Monday to buy cross-bred cows.
Kalakanhu purchased two cows with a calf, while Parakhit bought one cow with a calf. The animals were certified by local veterinary officials, tagged, and loaded onto a pickup van along with valid health documents for transportation to Odisha. However, Balda police intercepted the vehicle, alleged the papers were forged and accused the farmers of illegal cattle transport. They allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 1 lakh.
When the farmers could not pay the amount, police detained them along with the vehicle and the cattle at the station from 1pm, without providing them any food or water.
The farmers said that police threatened to frame them in false cases unless they paid. Ultimately, the two farmers and the vehicle owner were forced to pay Rs 60,000 and the cattle and the van were released late at night. The police reportedly withheld the farmers’ ATM cards and other documents.
The incident has been brought to the notice of Subarnapur Collector Nriparaj Sahu and senior veterinary officials, but no action has been taken so far. The farmers alleged that the prolonged detention caused the cows and calves to fall sick due to hunger and exhaustion. They said harassment by police and cattle mafia in neighbouring states has become common whenever Odisha farmers try to bring improved breeds from outside.
Similar incidents were earlier reported from Bargarh and Dunguripali areas. Kalakanhu, a differently-abled farmer from Katapali, said he had pinned hopes on the government scheme, which provides 70 per cent subsidy for cross-bred cows, to sustain his family through milk production. “We followed all procedures and bought cows legally. Still, we were tortured physically, mentally and financially,” he said.
Confirming the development, Tarbha Block Development Officer Shyam Sundar Panda said both farmers have lodged written complaints. The matter has been reported to the Chief District Veterinary Officer for further action.
PNN
