Book bovine smugglers under PSA: Deputy Commissioner

Government authorities today asked the officials concerned to take stringent action against attempts of bovine smuggling from other states in Jammu and Kashmir and to book such smugglers under Public Safety Act (PSA).
"There should be stringent action against attempts of bovine smuggling," Kathua Deputy Commissioner Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said.
Accompanied by Dy Excise Commissioner Rajesh Sharma, SP, Kathua, Nasir Ahmed along with the SHO Lakhanpur, Choudhary inspected the veterinary check post at inter-state Lakhanpur toll plaza in Kathua district and examined the vehicles as well as milch cattle halting for transportation permission.
The DC, who undertook visit to inter-state border toll plaza on Jammu-Pathankote highway in wake of the allegation of massive bovine smuggling taking place from Punjab, asked officers for booking the bovine smugglers under PSA and also for violation of orders issued in this regard.

Station House Officer (SHO) Lakhanpur informed that round -the-clock vigilance is being maintained and coordination has been established with excise check posts as well.
He informed that 6 FIRs have been lodged in police station Lakhanpur and 5 trucks carrying bovines are under seizure and 58 animals, including 11 buffaloes were also seized.

Night patrolling has also been intensified in this regard, he said.
He said that all transportation permissions will remain suspended during the Amarnath yatra period and directed the officials to maintain close coordination to keep a check on the attempts of bovine smuggling or transportation without permission based on proper verification.

Dr Shahid asked the officers of veterinary check post and excise check post to share the details of permissions and registration numbers of vehicles to avoid any kind of misuse of permission.
While reviewing the permissions granted in last one month, the DC asked the officers to ensure that only milch animals with proper documents are recommended for permission.
Officers of the check post briefed him about the measures in place to check the attempts of transportation of animals without proper permission and strict vigilance being maintained by the officials.
The Deputy Excise Commissioner elaborated the measures taken at toll post to ensure that trucks are inspected thoroughly and part from toll tax the permission issued by the competent authority is also checked.

Additional District Magistrate, Kathua, Atul Gupta has been designated as the competent authority for granting permission based on the documents produced by veterinary officials, district police, check post and other concerned officials.