Allegations of Cattle Smuggling and Administrative Inaction in Mahasamund

In Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh, the Saraypali area is reportedly seeing a surge in cattle smuggling operations. The smugglers take advantage of the night and the dense forest to move the cattle to other states and slaughterhouses. The animals are herded on the highway through Chhattisgarh, specifically Saraypali, Singoda, and Rehtikhol, before reaching Odisha. Gau rakshaks (cow protectors) are actively monitoring suspicious areas at night to prevent smuggling. However, they claim that the local administration does not offer adequate support, and that the police often intimidate them. They report that despite providing information about the smuggling, they face threats rather than assistance in stopping the illegal trade.