CG sharpens its strategy to combat cattle smuggling
Raipur: In a high-level meeting chaired by Deputy Chief minister and Home minister Vijay Sharma at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan on Thursday, the Chhattisgarh govt sharpened its strategy to combat the growing menace of cattle smuggling, calling for swift, coordinated, and more aggressive enforcement.
The meeting saw the participation of senior state officials, police representatives, and district-level nodal officers.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Home minister Sharma emphasized that cattle smuggling is not merely a crime, but an organized criminal activity that must be tackled using the full force of the law. He underlined the urgency of effective implementation of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued on July 15, 2024, and demanded measurable progress from the officials present.
Seizure and Auction of Vehicles to Be Fast-Tracked
Minister Sharma issued clear directives to accelerate the seizure of vehicles used in cattle smuggling and ensure a transparent auction process. He questioned district officials about the number of vehicles confiscated, cases where no action was taken, and whether due process was followed at the collector level.
Sharma also made it clear that in the next review meeting, every district must submit detailed reports on cases filed, seizures made, auctions conducted, and actions taken under strict laws like SAFEMA and NSA (National Security Act).
Sharma proposed involving youth associated with cow welfare groups and the NCC (National Cadet Corps) in vigilance efforts. He suggested issuing official passes to facilitate better communication between these volunteers and law enforcement.
He instructed that a list be prepared of genuinely dedicated cow protectors and volunteers to recognize their contributions and boost their morale.
Tech-Driven Vigilance and Closing Gaps in Enforcement
Sharma emphasized the need for smarter surveillance, especially given that traffickers often bypass highway checkpoints by moving cattle via footpaths or alternative rural routes.
"We need to understand the entire supply chain," he said, stressing the need to build a tech-enabled alert system based on inputs received via WhatsApp groups and personal networks from local cow protectors.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Manoj Pingua and others.
The Chhattisgarh govt, through these measures, is positioning itself to not only curb cattle smuggling but also to transform the enforcement ecosystem — using both strict policing and community participation. As Sharma put it, "Only a tough and well-organized approach can stop this crime."
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