Major Raid by Pune Rural Police Saves 71 Buffaloes Intended for Slaughter
Junnar, 17th June 2024: Pune Rural Police conducted a raid and successfully rescued 71 buffaloes intended for slaughter on Eid al-Adha (Bakri Eid), seizing goods worth over Rs 60 lakh. Seven suspects have been arrested in connection with this operation, which took place near Otur in Junnar Taluka, Pune, yesterday.
The Otur Police arrested the following individuals: Mohammad Vakil Iqrar Khan (64 years old, resident of Uttar Pradesh), Tohit Wahid Qureshi (45 years old, resident of Mumbai), Usman Khan Ramjan Khan (60 years old, resident of Mumbai), Rashid Abdul Rahim Shaikh (32 years old, resident of Mumbai), Firoz Saherab Malik (43 years old, resident of Uttar Pradesh), Farooq Qureshi (resident of Satara), and Mohammad Bilal Bhaimiya Shaikh (resident of Mumbai).
According to reports, Pune Rural Police aimed to prevent the illegal transportation and slaughter of animals during Bakri Eid. They set up blockades and seized five trucks under the jurisdiction of the Otur Police Station. These trucks were found to contain a total of 73 buffaloes, both large and small, kept in poor conditions without adequate water, food, or ventilation. The animals were tightly bound with ropes, posing risks of injury. The truck drivers lacked transportation permits and medical clearances for the buffaloes. Upon interrogation, the drivers admitted that the buffaloes were destined for a slaughterhouse in Mumbai.
Out of the 73 buffaloes, 71 were alive while 2 had died. The 71 alive buffaloes have been relocated to a cowshed in Sangamner Taluka of Ahmednagar, where they will receive proper care. The total worth of seized goods, including the five trucks and the buffaloes, amounts to Rs 60,40,000. A case has been registered against the seven accused under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960.
This operation was conducted under the supervision of Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh, Additional Superintendent of Police Ramesh Chopade, and Sub-Divisional Police Officer Ravindra Chaudhary. The team included Assistant Police Inspector LG Thate, Police Sub-Inspectors Ajit Patil and Anil Kerurkar, Assistant Sub-Inspector Mahesh Kumar Zankar, along with other police constables.
