Former sarpanch arrested for cattle and beef smuggling near Cuttack

Cuttack: A former sarpanch was arrested on Monday in connection with illegal cattle and beef smuggling. Police said the 56-year-old was allegedly operating a network involved in transporting cows and smuggling beef from Baraman forest in Athgarh forest division. Acting on specific intelligence input, police raided the area and detained the man. Authorities suspect that remote forest routes were being used to avoid detection.The former sarpanch has seven criminal cases pending against him in different police stations across Cuttack district, all linked to illegal cow slaughtering and transportation. “A detailed investigation is underway to unearth the full network,” said Vinit Agrawal, superintendent of police (SP), Cuttack (Rural). A vehicle used for transporting beef was seized by police.