BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh Police have claimed to have registered as many as 575 cases in the last six months related to cattle smuggling and arrested a total of 1, 121 people in this connection.
Besides, more than 7, 000 cows were rescued from illegal possession during the same period.
The police said that most cases of cattle smuggling were reported in Balaghat, Seoni, Chhindwara, Barwani, Khargone, Burhanpur, Ujjain, Ratlam and Neemuch districts.
A source said the operation against cattle smuggling was carried out extensively following the direction received from Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
"Several teams of police were formed across the state and the routes that were used frequently for cow trafficking were identified. Sources were developed in particular regions to get real-time information and the cases of 10 years were examined, " a police source said.
The BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government has been strict on cattle smuggling and the sale of meat in open places for the last several years.
Notably, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, in one of his initial orders after taking over charge of the CM Office, directed the police to take strict action against cattle smuggling.
The recent action in Mandala where 11 houses were demolished was as part of action against the illegal beef trading in the state, a police officer said.
The action was taken after a tip-off was received that numerous cows had been held captive for slaughtering.