Mangalore: Battle against cattle thieves - Owners beef up security

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (NM)

Mangalore, Aug 3: It’s not just the valuables at home that are in need of lockers for safety. The same applies to cattle also. There was a time when cattle were left free to graze, but this is no longer the case. With reports of cows being stolen in many places, the owners, with no alternative, are forced to lock their cows and the shed to protect them from being stolen.

It’s a nightmare for cattle owners. Hundreds of families have to spend their nights in fear of losing their cattle and most of the owners of cows are not rich. There are families who can think of a decent meal only with the income derived from the cows. If the cow is stolen, these families cannot afford to buy another. In addition, a few families have also discontinued animal husbandry due to these incidents.

Koragappa Devadiga, a resident of Mukka, Surathkal, proud owner of three cows - finally decided to fix an iron door to the cowshed and shackles locking the necks of the cows to the ground in a desperate attempt to safeguard his cattle.

Devadiga implemented these precautions after there were two unsuccessful attempts to steal his three cows.  Once, when the thieves were about to shift the cows to the vehicle in the night, the noise awakened the family. When Devadiga came out of the house, the thieves reportedly fled from the scene. 

Modus Operandi

The cattle thieves are engaged in stealing cows and have a well-planned modus operandi to escape. It is believed that two people first reconnoiter the place they are targeting. Once they are sure that there is no police or any fringe group blocking their way, these men give a signal to the cow transporting vehicle.

Confirmed reports state that a few dimly lit places close to Chokkabettu, Thokur, and other places in the vicinity have been used for cow slaughter. These abattoirs usually go unnoticed.

Five cases in one month

In Suratkal alone, as many as five cases of cow theft have been reported in the last one month. These healthy and expensive cows are slaughtered for meat. However, there has been no clue as to who the thieves are.