CUTTACK: Opposition to illegal transportation of cattle took a violent turn in the city when the protestors along with the public torched a vehicle escorting an animal-laden truck on Wednesday evening. They also blocked NH-5 near Chauliaganj police station.As vehicular traffic came to a standstill on the busy highway, police resorted to baton charge to disperse the protesting mob and clear the road. Over 10 persons were injured while tension prevailed in the area till late in the night.According to reports, the activists of the Odisha State Go Surakhya Bahini intercepted a cow-laden truck near the Chauliaganj police station. The Kolkata-bound truck had loaded cattle at Begunia. As the members, began rescuing the cattle, the transporters in an accompanying escort vehicle reportedly opposed them. With matter reaching a head, the irate public who had gathered around set the vehicle afire and staged a road blockade demanding action against transportation of cows.While police reached the spot and arrested four of the people allegedly involved in the illegal transportation, they had to face the brunt of the mob, who accused them of being hand-in-gloves with the transporters.Police then resorted to lathicharge to control the situation that had threatened to go out of hand. About 50 cattle rescued from the truck were taken to a Goshala at Jagatpur. Trouble, in fact, had been simmering on the issue for the last couple of days with the Odisha State Go Surakhya Bahini alleging an increase in the movement of cow-laden trucks from Begunia to outside the State. On Monday night, the animal rights outfit had also given chase to about four trucks but failed to get hold of them. Go Surakhya Bahini State president Suresh Panda alleged that this was the first of the 17 trucks that had been loaded at Begunia and ready to set off for the markets in Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal. “The animals are transported in gross violation of all the laws from the Motor Vehicles Act, 1978, to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. We have been raising the issue and informing the police on the movement of vehicles. But still no action is being taken to curb this illegal activity,” he alleged.
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