Assam govt steps up crackdown on cattle smuggling, 856 arrested
Guwahati, May 21
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that the state government has adopted a "zero tolerance" approach against cattle theft, cattle smuggling, and illegal beef trade, with police arresting 856 people and recovering 4,355 cattle since January this year.
Sharing the details in a post on X ahead of an upcoming festival next week, Sarma said the state administration remains on high alert to prevent illegal cattle transportation and smuggling activities across Assam.
"Zero tolerance towards cattle smuggling. In Assam, since January 2026, we have apprehended 856 cattle thieves and seized 2,980+ kg of beef. Ahead of the upcoming festival next week, we continue to remain extremely vigilant," the Chief Minister said in his post.
According to figures shared by the Chief Minister, Assam Police have registered 425 cases related to cattle theft and smuggling between January 1 and May 19 this year.
During the crackdown, authorities also recovered 4,355 cattle allegedly linked to theft and illegal transportation networks operating across different districts of the state.
Police further seized more than 2,980 kg of beef during raids and enforcement drives conducted in multiple areas.
The state government has intensified surveillance and enforcement measures in recent years to curb cross-border cattle smuggling and organised theft rackets, particularly in districts bordering neighbouring states and international boundaries.
Officials said the police and district administrations have been instructed to maintain strict vigilance ahead of the festival season to ensure that illegal cattle transportation and slaughter activities do not take place in violation of existing laws.
The Assam government has repeatedly maintained that strict action would continue against organised cattle smuggling syndicates and individuals involved in cattle theft and illegal trade activities.
Sarma has on several occasions asserted that the government would enforce the provisions of the Assam Cattle Preservation Act strictly and ensure that illegal transportation of cattle is checked effectively.
The Chief Minister's latest statement comes amid heightened monitoring by law enforcement agencies across the state, with security personnel carrying out intensified vehicle checks and interstate border surveillance operations in sensitive areas.
Senior police officials said coordinated enforcement drives are being conducted regularly to dismantle smuggling networks and strengthen law and order during the festive period.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I'm all for stopping illegal activities, but I hope the police are careful not to harass innocent people. In many villages, cattle is essential for livelihood, and sometimes transportation for genuine purposes gets wrongly targeted. Need a balanced approach.
Good to see strict enforcement before the festival season. Illegal cattle smuggling syndicates are well-organised and often use violent means. This crackdown will definitely send a strong message. 👏
Impressive numbers. I've read that Assam has been a transit hub for cattle being smuggled to Bangladesh. If the state can really break these networks, it will have a positive impact on the local beef trade too, making it more regulated and safer.
As a cattle owner from a village near the border, I welcome this. Thieves used to take our animals at night. At least now police are patrolling more. But we need proper cattle identification systems like ear tags or registration to avoid confusion.
Zero tolerance is always good, but I wonder about the legal process. Arresting 856 people is massive - will the courts handle this? And are all these really smugglers or also small-time villagers? Need transparency in the cases.
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