Cattle smugglers use private cars to evade suspicion; two vehicles seized, 5 cows rescued in Unakoti

Cattle lifting has reached alarming levels across Unakoti district of Tripura, with lifters now adopting a new tactic to avoid detection. Instead of using trucks or goods carriers, smugglers are transporting stolen cattle in small private passenger vehicles.

In two separate incidents reported recently under Irani police station area of Kailashahar, police recovered five stolen cows and seized two vehicles involved in the crimes.

Police sources said that the first incident took place in the Ilaicherra area under Kailashahar police station, where two cows belonging to Amal Goyala were stolen. The second incident occurred in Hiracherra ADC Village under Irani police station, where three cows owned by a man named Bijoy Roy were stolen.

In a surprising development, the smugglers were found transporting the cattle in small passenger cars instead of conventional transport vehicles.

However, while attempting to flee at high speed from two different locations within the Irani police station area, both vehicles met with accidents. Local residents, sensing something suspicious, managed to intercept the vehicles and rescued the cattle. The accused, however, took advantage of the darkness and fled the scene.

Upon receiving information, police personnel from Irani reached the spots and recovered the vehicles along with the five cows, bringing them to the police station.

Addressing the media, Unakoti District Superintendent of Police (SP) Sudhambika R stated that the use of small passenger vehicles makes it difficult for the public to suspect illegal activity, giving smugglers an advantage. She confirmed that an FIR has already been registered in one case, while legal procedures are underway in the other.

The police are investigating whether there is any link between the two incidents and have intensified operations to apprehend those involved.

Also present at the press briefing were Kailashahar Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) A Ragul and Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Irani police station, Biraj Debbarma.

The incidents have triggered panic among cattle owners in the district, as thefts are now occurring even in broad daylight or right in front of homes. Smugglers are reportedly exploiting narrow roads and the speed of small vehicles to escape quickly.