Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Nov 12: The local villagers from Narian and adjoining areas near Chingus in Rajouri held strong protest demonstration against police and local administration and blocked Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch highway for about 6 hours after they trapped a passenger vehicle (Tempo Traveler) smuggling five bovine animals via Mughal Road today.
Reports said that during early hours, some people noticed tempo traveler near Narian and became suspicious. They passed on massage to next villagers and they intercepted the vehicle. The driver and his associates managed to escape while the people noticed five animals tied and lying in unconscious condition in the vehicle. The villagers started assembling and huge mob was gathered. Earlier, they apprehended that cattle including four cows had died. Many people gathered there and they blocked the Jammu-Poonch highway at around 8 am. They burnt the tires and raised barricades.
Massive protest demonstration was started. MLA Nowshera Ravinder Raina also reached there and the people started raising slogans against Police and District Administration. SHO Rajouri, Chaman Gorkha along with some force and SHO Nowshera also reached there with some force but the people refused to lift dharna. A large number of vehicles on both sides remained stranded for hours together.
Changing their modus operandi, the bovine smugglers had given injections to the animals for making them unconscious. Then after removing seats from the Tempo No. JK02AP/ 1157, they had packed these five cattle. They had covered them with plastic sheet. SDM Nowshera Harbans Lal and SDPO also reached but public refused to buzz. They demanded that vehicle’s permit be cancelled and driver and smuggler be detailed under PSA. They must be arrested immediately. Driver’s license should also be cancelled.
The people damaged the vehicle badly and also tried to set it on fire but police did not allow them to do so. They alleged that massive bovine smuggling is going on towards Valley via Mughal road and Police and District Administration Rajouri and Poonch is facilitating. They also alleged that scores of vehicles loaded with bovines are going to Kashmir on this route during night regularly and police seizes hardly 2-3 after few days just to befool people and others to project their ‘good work’.
Later, SP Rajouri Tejinder Singh, DC Shabir Ahmed Bhat and ARTO Rajouri Jugal Kishore also reached there. They started talks with the MLA and locals. The DC declared that permit of the vehicle will be cancelled and accused driver will be detained under PSA. The Veterinary team was also summoned to the site. They provided treatment to the animals and brought them back to consciousness. The police registered a case and seized the vehicle. The movement of vehicles was allowed at around 1.45 pm.
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