Action will be taken against cow and dairy cattle smuggling, slaughter and sale of meat

Raipur, July 16 (HS). On the initiative of Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, the Home Department has issued an order regarding prevention of incidents of unauthorized transportation (smuggling) of cows and dairy animals, slaughter and sale of meat etc. and taking effective action against the accused involved.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said that the government is dealing strictly with the illegal transportation of cows. We have made provision for punishment and fines to ensure that no one can violate this law. The culprits will be given the harshest punishment. He said cow smuggling is no longer possible in Chhattisgarh and for this we have fixed responsibility at every level. He said that illegal transportation will attract a punishment of seven years and a fine of Rs 50,000. It will be the responsibility of the accused to prove that smuggling is not taking place. The crime has been made cognizable and non-bailable.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that cattle cannot be transported without the permission of the competent authority. Flex etc. will have to be put in the vehicle during transportation. If smuggling is done, the vehicle will be confiscated and action will also be taken against the vehicle owner. The property acquired from this will be identified and confiscated.

Mr. Sharma said that a gazetted officer will be appointed as the nodal officer for prevention and supervision of the above incidents. If police officers are found to be lax or involved, strict action will be taken against them. It will be essential to collect intelligence, study all the incidents in the district and re-review and keep a constant watch on all the accused.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that if transportation is found to be against the rules, then a negative remark will be marked in the service book of all the Superintendents of Police and Station Incharges between the point where the transportation started and the point where the vehicle is seized, and if a negative remark is marked more than five times, disciplinary action will also be taken. If any police officer-employee is found to be negligent or involved in the action of cow slaughter and cow and milch cattle smuggling (illegal transportation), then strict punitive and departmental action will be taken against them.