Assam Police Intensify Crackdown on Cattle Smuggling; Over 180 Animals Rescued, Dozens Arrested in Dual Operations

In a series of coordinated operations this week, Assam Police have rescued more than 180 cattle and arrested dozens of suspects in major anti-smuggling drives across Dhubri and Biswanath districts. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday and Tuesday highlighted the state’s resolute crackdown on illegal cattle trade, particularly through traditional riverine transit routes near the Bangladesh border and inhumane road transport.
The largest single haul came in Biswanath district on Sunday, where police intercepted 10 vehicles and rescued 106 livestock being transported under inhumane conditions. Thirty-six people were arrested in connection with the operation. Announcing the action on social media, Sarma said Biswanath Police had conducted a “major operation” and declared that “strict action continues against cow smugglers.” He emphasised that the drive aims to protect cows and safeguard the interests of farmers whose animals are frequently targeted by organised gangs.
In Dhubri, a district long identified as a vulnerable corridor due to its extensive network of riverine islands known as chars, police recovered 79 cattle in a recent operation. Sarma noted that these char areas have traditionally served as transit routes for illicit cattle trade and stressed that Assam Police are maintaining strict vigilance there. “Our crackdown on illegal cattle trade and slaughter is resolute,” the Chief Minister stated, adding that the force is keeping a close watch on these sensitive zones.
Earlier this week, Dhubri Police also foiled another attempt when a team from Dhubri Sadar Police Station intercepted a boat at Chalakura Pt-5 and seized 40 cows. The suspected smugglers abandoned the animals and fled into the riverine terrain. A search was launched to identify those involved and map the wider network.
These successive recoveries form part of a sustained statewide campaign against cattle smuggling, which authorities say often involves stolen animals and ends with the livestock being pushed across the international border. Police have been focusing on both water routes along the Brahmaputra and its tributaries and overland movement through pickup vans and trucks.
Officials said the rescued animals are being properly cared for and that investigations are underway to trace the ownership of the cattle, the origins of the consignments, and the larger smuggling syndicates. Interrogation of the arrested persons in Biswanath is expected to yield further leads on the network.
The Chief Minister has repeatedly linked the drive to the protection of farmers’ livelihoods, noting that cattle theft and smuggling inflict heavy economic losses on rural households. The latest operations come even as Assam continues its broader efforts to curb organised crime along the border and in interior districts.
Police across the state have been directed to remain on high alert, particularly in riverine and border areas, to prevent further attempts. Further details on the ongoing investigations are awaited.