45 cows seized from smugglers die in a Tripura shelter after being kept in open during rains

At least 45 cows, seized by the BSF while being smuggled to neighbouring Bangladesh, died due to alleged neglect at a cow shelter being run by an NGO in Tripura.

The incharge of the cowshelter at Devipur in Sipahijala district, about 26 km from capital Agartala, said the cows died of "hyperthermia" as they were kept in open due to paucity of space and there were incessant rains over the last six days.

The deaths took place during last three days starting from Sunday, officials said.

Altogether 159 cows, which were kept in a cattle shelter (Gaushala) have died since May 14 last, the officials said.

At present 700 cattle are lodged in the gaushala, Joshine Antony, in-charge of the cow-shelter, told reporters on Tuesday.

The cow shelter was constructed by a Delhi-based Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) on May 14 last following an agreement with the Tripura government for housing the animals seized by the Border Security Force personnel from cattle smugglers,