‘Cows were being transported for sale not slaughter’

THANE: Investigations into the seizure of 30 cows being transported from Gujarat has revealed that they were headed to Kolhapur for sale in the cattle market and not for slaughter.
The four trucks ferrying the cows were targeted by locals on Friday who hurled stones and damaged the vehicles on suspicion that the cows were heading to an illegal slaughter house. The Kasarvadavli police promptly drove away the trucks to the safety.The four truck drivers were questioned and only after a thorough verification that the cargo was not meant for any illegal activities, the police slapped minor charges of cruelty to animals and poor transport facilities against the drivers.
The drivers Kanu Algotar, Kalubhai Yadav, Bhavanbhai Jogra, and Sajan Dhakniya were arrested for not possessing adequate papers for transportation of the 30 Gir cows.
The accused did not have the permission from the transport department to take the cows from one state to another. Also, none of them had put up an animal board sign nor had made provisions for their food and water, said DCP Sunil Lokhande.