Dhubri: Police seized a pickup truck carrying 16 cattle and arrested two people in Dhubri district on Thursday.A joint team of Bilasipara and Salkocha police intercepted the unregistered vehicle at Suapata Part-III. One of the arrested persons was identified as Bhola Mondal.Police sources said the cattle were allegedly being transported from West Bengal in overcrowded and inhumane conditions. One animal reportedly died in transit.Bilasipara police station OC Biswajit Bhadra said, “Acting on information, the team conducted an operation at Suapata Part-III and intercepted the vehicle carrying 16 cattle. Two persons were arrested, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the source and destination of the cattle and identify others involved in the suspected illegal trade.”The seizure has renewed focus on suspected cattle-smuggling routes through the Bilasipara region. Residents suspect cattle from West Bengal are being transported towards Bangladesh through river routes in the area.On Nov 4, police seized 14 buffaloes from a truck at Chagolia. Earlier, on Oct 29, Salkocha police seized 11 cattle at Chokchoka in Chandardinga and arrested two people. On Sept 1, Nayahat police recovered four cattle from a vehicle at Barkanda along NH-17 and arrested two people. On Aug 10, Bilasipara and Salkocha police seized 26 cattle at Gourang Nagar and detained five people.Police said the investigation was continuing.
