From Tip-off to Shelter: How 250 Cattle Rescue Turned a Jharkhand Police Station Into a Cowshed
Image via The Indian Express
Garhwa, Thursday, September 4, 2025
A dramatic incident unfolded in Jharkhand’s Garhwa district this week. What started as a tip-off from Bajrang Dal ended in a massive cattle rescue. About 250 cattle were taken into police custody. For nearly two days, a police station turned into a temporary cow shelter.
The incident began on Thursday when Bajrang Dal workers informed police about trucks carrying cattle. They alleged that the animals were being smuggled illegally. Acting on the alert, police rushed to the spot. The trucks were stopped and checked. Inside, they found hundreds of cattle crammed together.
Overcrowded Trucks and Injured Animals
Bajrang Dal district head, Sonu Singh, later described the condition of the animals. According to him, trucks had 17–20 cattle each. Normally, one truck should not carry more than 12. He said many animals could barely stand. Some had cuts, while others had wounds from being pressed against iron grills.
Singh claimed that these cattle came from Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. He accused traders of trying to take them to slaughterhouses. He also said the smugglers abandoned the trucks when confronted. Some escaped on motorcycles, but three were caught by police.
Police Station Becomes Cowshed
The rescue created an unusual problem. The local police had nowhere to keep such a large number of animals. So they brought more than 170 cattle to the police station compound. Overnight, the station looked less like a law office and more like a cowshed.
For two days, policemen worked alongside Bajrang Dal volunteers to feed and water the animals. Bajrang Dal members brought around 20 sacks of fodder. Water had to be arranged in buckets and drums. Officers admitted that caring for cattle was not their normal duty, but they had no other choice.
Finally, by Friday night, the cattle were shifted to a proper cow shelter in Palamu district, about 55 km away. Trucks were arranged again, but this time under police protection.
Police Call It a Market Dispute
Superintendent of Police, Aman Kumar, gave a different picture. He told media that there is no proof yet that the animals were being smuggled for slaughter. According to him, the cattle were part of a traditional weekly market near the Uttar Pradesh border. He said buying and selling cattle is not illegal. Investigators are still checking the claims.
This difference in versions has raised more questions. Bajrang Dal insists it was a case of smuggling. The police maintain that it was a routine trade.
Bajrang Dal Alleges Political Pressure
Sonu Singh has alleged that some influential people are protecting traffickers. He said police are under pressure not to register FIRs or to release the cattle quickly. He also claimed that fake cases are being filed against those who try to protect cows. Singh announced that Bajrang Dal would approach the High Court. He also demanded a CBI inquiry.
A Rare Sight
Residents in the area were surprised to see cows and buffaloes tied outside the police station. For locals, it became an unusual sight. People gathered in small groups to watch. Some helped with food and water. For nearly two days, the police station smelled of fodder and dung instead of files and ink.
Bigger Questions
The incident has now triggered a debate in Jharkhand. Animal trade is common in border areas, but it often gets mixed with smuggling allegations. Bajrang Dal, known for its cow protection drive, has been active in the state. Police are now caught between two versions—one of smuggling and one of legal trading.
What remains certain is the unusual picture of a police station turning into a cow shelter. For Garhwa residents, it will be remembered for a long time.