Karnataka: Police open fire at marauding cattle traffickers in Moodbidri

MANGALURU: Mangaluru City Police thwarted a brazen attempt by a gang that was attempting to smuggle cattle in a hatchback on the lives of police personnel on the narrow Shirthady-Moodbidri Road in the wee hours of Sunday.
The driver rammed the hatchback into a police jeep and other occupants then attempted to attack the police inside the jeep with machete forcing Police Inspector Dinesh Kumar to fire two rounds – one in the air and other at the hatchback.
The incident took place at around 4.45am under Moodbidri police station limits. Vikash Kumar Vikash, the city police chief who hailed the appreciable action by the PI, told TOI that police on rounds directed a speeding Maruti Ritz car to slow down for inspection. The driver ignored the signal and attempted a quick getaway by reversing the car. When the PI chased the car that was reversing in his jeep, the driver stopped the car and suddenly moved forward and rammed the jeep.
The traffickers escaped under cover of darkness when the PI opened fire with his service pistol to prevent the gang from attacking him. The traffickers had removed the back seat of the Ritz and had used the space to cram in six cows. Police recovered talwars, sticks, ropes and tarpaulin used to camouflage the cattle. “We have identified the traffickers and stringent action will be taken against them,” he said adding the accused fled in a Maruti Omni that was trailing the hatchback.
Police have seized the hatchback and are verifying its ownership, Vikash Kumar said. A case under attempt to murder (307), rash and negligent driving (279) and assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty (353) of IPC and Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act at the jurisdictional Moodbidri police station to a complaint from Dinesh Kumar, the city police chief, added.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad leadership on October 5 had also demanded that the police top brass in Dakshina Kannada district set up a special task force to curb illegal cattle trafficking and also initiate strict action against illegal cattle traffickers. Cattle traffickers are using high-end vehicles to transport cattle in the most barbaric of manners. Only an STF can put an end to this organised cattle trafficking syndicate, Sharan Kumar, divisional secretary of VHP had stated.
In an order issued on October 8, Vikash Kumar had directed ACPs of North, Central and South sub-divisions to set up 32 check posts in 15 police station limits to check illegal activities. He had directed the ACPs to relieve staff deputed to these check posts at 7am and replace them with the staff of Sagar patrol vehicles. Staff discharging various duties in police stations including those issuing summons and court duty had to perform checkpost duties on rotation, the order said.