Bengal BJP Leader Claims Stopped Truck Smuggling Cows. Trinamool Replies

BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul has claimed she has stopped an attempt to smuggle cattle across the border and rescued nine cows. Ms Paul, in a tweet, claimed she had stopped a truck loaded with cows on National Highway 2 on her way to Kolkata from Asansol.

"Stopped a truck loaded with cows. Asked for papers but found none…Cow Smuggling is ON in full swing," she alleged in her tweet.

Stopped a truck loaded with cows

Asked for papers but found none

900 bribe given to Bankura PS & 800 to Purulia PS as told by the culprits

Cow Smuggling is ON in full swing with
WB POLICEs support

What say POLICE MINISTER?@MamataOfficial pic.twitter.com/W7dW9rML57

— Agnimitra Paul BJP (@paulagnimitra1) December 20, 2022

The fashion designer-turned-BJP leader also alleged that those in the truck told her that the police had been bribed to allow the "smuggling".

Reacting to Ms Paul's comment, the Trinamool wondered whether the first-time BJP MLA had taken up the job of cow vigilante.

"Cows are transported from one part of the state to another in vehicles such as matadors and trucks. There is nothing new about it. The BJP MLA trying to find a cattle smuggling angle is nothing but an attempt to politicise the matter," Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said.

Later, while talking to reporters, Ms Paul said when she stopped the truck, the drivers confessed that the cattle were being taken to the India-Bangladesh border.

"After I apprehended the truck full of cows, the drivers admitted that they were taking it to the border to smuggle it. We have handed over the truck and the driver to the police. I hope action will be taken against the culprits. This incident proves that the cattle smuggling is on in the state without any attempt by the police to stop it," she said.

Earlier this year, CBI and ED arrested Trinamool leader Anubrata Mondal for his alleged involvement in cow smuggling, turning the political spotlight onto allegations of cattle smuggling in the state.

The Trinamool has dubbed the allegations of corruption against the party as "baseless and politically motivated".

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)