In a high-risk early-morning encounter near Bellichadavu in Ishwaramangala, police on the Karnataka–Kerala border displayed commendable courage in stopping an illegal cattle-smuggling attempt. Officers were forced to open fire when the accused, identified as Abdullah (40) from Kasaragod, Kerala, tried to escape and rammed his vehicle into a police jeep, endangering officers’ lives.
As per Daijiworld, Abdullah and an accomplice were reportedly transporting eleven cattle in an Eicher vehicle from Hassan, Karnataka, towards Kerala for illegal slaughter. When the Puttur Rural Police signalled the vehicle to halt, the accused ignored repeated warnings and sped away, leading to a 10-kilometer chase across rugged border terrain. During the pursuit, the smugglers crashed into the police vehicle in a desperate attempt to flee, forcing the PSI to fire two warning rounds, one striking the tyre and the other injuring Abdullah in the leg. His associate managed to escape.
Police immediately shifted the injured smuggler to Wenlock Hospital, Mangaluru, and launched a manhunt for the absconding accused. Investigations have already revealed Abdullah’s criminal past; he was earlier booked under the Karnataka Cow Slaughter Act (Case No. 33/2025) at Bellare Police Station for similar offenses. Officers stated that despite earlier warnings and arrests, he had resumed his smuggling operations, exploiting the porous interstate route to Kerala.
This swift and decisive police response deserves appreciation. It not only prevented the illegal transport of animals but also showcased the resolve of law enforcement officers who routinely face physical danger in upholding the law. Gau Rakshaks (cow-protection volunteers) and local residents have also commended the police for acting firmly within the bounds of the law to defend both animal welfare norms and public safety.
However, even as police risk their lives confronting such criminal networks, certain left-leaning groups and social-media voices have attempted to distort the incident, portraying it through a communal or anti-Hindu lens. Such narrative-driven activism undermines genuine law-enforcement work and shields repeat offenders behind ideological noise. The focus must remain where it belongs, on the rule of law, the protection of animals from illegal trade, and the courage of officers who act decisively in defense of both.
The Puttur Rural Police have registered a fresh case and intensified patrols along the border routes to prevent further smuggling attempts. Their prompt action sends a strong message that cow-smuggling rackets will not be tolerated, regardless of political narratives or pressure from vested interests.
Cow smuggling is not confined to this region alone; similar rackets have been busted recently in northern Bharat and West Bengal as well. Along the Karnataka–Kerala border, such illegal transport remains alarmingly frequent, often carried out right under the nose of enforcement agencies. The latest operation, therefore, stands out as a commendable effort by the police, proving that firm and fearless action can indeed curb this ongoing menace.
