ATLEAST 50 bovine family cattle were killed when a container truck transporting them over turned near Dhumargaon under Kotpad Police station in Odisha, around 50 km from Jagdalpur, late on Saturday night. Police sources said that the cattle were being allegedly transported illegally from the Kotpad area towards Andhra Pradesh via the Dhumargaon route. Preliminary findings suggest the driver lost control of the vehicle due to overcrowding, causing the container to topple by the road side.

 

The impact of mishap was so severe that most of the animals (cows) died on the spot. Residents of Dhumargaon and nearby villages rushed to the site and alerted the police and fire services. Subsequently, rescue efforts were launched, but by the time teams arrived, over 50 cattle had already succumbed. Villagers alleged that cattle smuggling is rampant along this route despite repeated complaints, expressing anger and grief over the incident. Police have begun an investigation to trace the truck’s origin and destination.