16.
Cow Raids
The Most Lucrative Profession In India
Avisitor to India is taken aback by the sight of cows walking unattended or lounging in the busy streets. The traffic skirts round them taking extreme care not to disturb their walk or nap. Cows of all ages roam wherever they like. Some cows are so old that they can hardly stand. But nobody would dare to push them or use a stick to move them from the busiest of intersections.
But these street roaming cows, India’s trademark, may soon be history. All over India, butchers have started raiding towns and villages to kidnap cows, both stray as well as privately owned. Government’s export policy has made cattle rustling one of the most lucrative businesses today. In each raid, they stand to make lakhs of rupees as each head can fetch upto 10,000 rupees. A dead cow in India now commands better price than a living one.
We only mention a few cases here for the sake of reference. Hundreds of such cases are reported every month from different parts of India.
But these street roaming cows, India’s trademark, may soon be history. All over India, butchers have started raiding towns and villages to kidnap cows, both stray as well as privately owned. Government’s export policy has made cattle rustling one of the most lucrative businesses today. In each raid, they stand to make lakhs of rupees as each head can fetch upto 10,000 rupees. A dead cow in India now commands better price than a living one.
We only mention a few cases here for the sake of reference. Hundreds of such cases are reported every month from different parts of India.
The Activities Of Butchers In Braja
By Antony Brennan
A recent ‘Care for Cows in Vrindavan’ newsletter from Kurma Rupa das highlights an issue that warrants the attention of all of us: the increased incidence of cows being kidnapped in Vrindavan and sold for profit.
In the March newsletter (careforcows.org) Kurma Rupa tells about those who make their living by abducting cows for slaughter. He refers to them as butchers.
As if this isn’t bad enough there are also accomplices that “pose as sympathisers and offer support but only with intent to win our confidence so they can learn of our plans and thus weaken our defences,” Kurma says.
Reportedly the kidnappers can receive up to 10,000 rupees for a single cow. According to villagers the kidnappers are becoming more brazen and better organised. Authorities have done little to prevent the abductions and locals are risking their lives trying to prevent the deadly night raids. “Sorry to say, but it seems that the values of the elite of modern India have changed. It is no longer the cow who is sacred, but it is profit that is sacred. Cow protection is being replaced by profit protection,” Kurma Rupa says.
Security had not previously required great effort or resources as cow protection programs once received genuine support from all quarters. Now things are changing and the security of cows requires maximum effort.
In the Match newsletter Kurma Rupa paints a disturbing picture and outlines a shocking chain of events.
“On the cold, damp and foggy night of January 2, 2009 a truck with five or six men stopped in front or our gate. They were armed and hostile and arrived with intent to steal our cows. One of them demanded that our guard surrender the keys to the gate but he secured himself upstairs.
In the March newsletter (careforcows.org) Kurma Rupa tells about those who make their living by abducting cows for slaughter. He refers to them as butchers.
As if this isn’t bad enough there are also accomplices that “pose as sympathisers and offer support but only with intent to win our confidence so they can learn of our plans and thus weaken our defences,” Kurma says.
Reportedly the kidnappers can receive up to 10,000 rupees for a single cow. According to villagers the kidnappers are becoming more brazen and better organised. Authorities have done little to prevent the abductions and locals are risking their lives trying to prevent the deadly night raids. “Sorry to say, but it seems that the values of the elite of modern India have changed. It is no longer the cow who is sacred, but it is profit that is sacred. Cow protection is being replaced by profit protection,” Kurma Rupa says.
Security had not previously required great effort or resources as cow protection programs once received genuine support from all quarters. Now things are changing and the security of cows requires maximum effort.
In the Match newsletter Kurma Rupa paints a disturbing picture and outlines a shocking chain of events.
“On the cold, damp and foggy night of January 2, 2009 a truck with five or six men stopped in front or our gate. They were armed and hostile and arrived with intent to steal our cows. One of them demanded that our guard surrender the keys to the gate but he secured himself upstairs.
These saintly kings gave protection to all the prajas, or living beings, to live and to fulfill their terms of embodiment. Maharaja Pariksit was actually an ideal saintly king because while touring his kingdom he happened to see that a poor cow was about to be killed by the personified Kali, whom he at once took to task as a murderer. This means that even the animals were given protection by the saintly administrators, not from any sentimental point of view, but because those who have taken their birth in the material world have the right to live.
~ Srila Prabhupada (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.12.19)
The intruders jumped the gate and performed a thorough search of our facility. Since our cows are not tied up they moved about restlessly in the fog, filling the night with the frantic ringing of their bells.
The thieves next broke the lock on our front gate but then mysteriously left without taking anything. We reported the incident to the local police and they advised us to hire two gunmen. Several of us volunteered to stand guard as well. We were supplied two men armed with shotguns for the next month.
Kurma Rupa says the hired men turned out to have little interest in protecting the cows. Their weapons were poorly maintained and ineffective. Eventually the gunmen were fired.
“In any case the break-in and frustration with the hired guards had a unifying affect on the volunteer go-sevaks at Care for Cows.” Kurma Rupa says. Volunteers began taking shifts to protect the cows each night. “Neighbours gave us their phone numbers and invited us to call them in the middle of the night in the case of an emergency and wealthy businessman from Delhi donated flood lights and pledged to arrange siren to distract and scare off any intruders.”
At the end of January Care for Cows was reasonably secure. “We received several reports that cows were being stolen in other places around the town,” Kurma Rupa says. “We got permission from the local police to patrol the streets by motorcycle as a service to the rest of the community. Every night two or three of our volunteers patrol areas that street cows frequent and at times we are accompanied by police or concerned residents with gun permits. Our objective is to locate the butchers, notify the police and then help chase them out of town.”
In February Kurma Rupa learned that two trucks and fifteen men armed with the guns had come to abduct cows. Six armed men jumped out of the trucks and loudly announced that if anyone came out of their Houses they would meet with death. Five other men forced several street cows on their truck by prodding them with swords. Several men rode in the back of the truck poised to shoot or throw rocks at anyone who attempted to pursue them out of town. “It is interesting to note that this incident took place hardly two hundred meters away from the local police station,” Kurma Rupa says.
The thieves next broke the lock on our front gate but then mysteriously left without taking anything. We reported the incident to the local police and they advised us to hire two gunmen. Several of us volunteered to stand guard as well. We were supplied two men armed with shotguns for the next month.
Kurma Rupa says the hired men turned out to have little interest in protecting the cows. Their weapons were poorly maintained and ineffective. Eventually the gunmen were fired.
“In any case the break-in and frustration with the hired guards had a unifying affect on the volunteer go-sevaks at Care for Cows.” Kurma Rupa says. Volunteers began taking shifts to protect the cows each night. “Neighbours gave us their phone numbers and invited us to call them in the middle of the night in the case of an emergency and wealthy businessman from Delhi donated flood lights and pledged to arrange siren to distract and scare off any intruders.”
At the end of January Care for Cows was reasonably secure. “We received several reports that cows were being stolen in other places around the town,” Kurma Rupa says. “We got permission from the local police to patrol the streets by motorcycle as a service to the rest of the community. Every night two or three of our volunteers patrol areas that street cows frequent and at times we are accompanied by police or concerned residents with gun permits. Our objective is to locate the butchers, notify the police and then help chase them out of town.”
In February Kurma Rupa learned that two trucks and fifteen men armed with the guns had come to abduct cows. Six armed men jumped out of the trucks and loudly announced that if anyone came out of their Houses they would meet with death. Five other men forced several street cows on their truck by prodding them with swords. Several men rode in the back of the truck poised to shoot or throw rocks at anyone who attempted to pursue them out of town. “It is interesting to note that this incident took place hardly two hundred meters away from the local police station,” Kurma Rupa says.
Our inhumane treatment of livestock is becoming widespread and more and more barbaric... These creatures feel; they know pain. They suffer pain just as we humans feel pain.
- Senator Robert Byrd
Volunteers at Care for Cows and other local villagers and well wishers have participated in several confrontations with those who come to steal the cows to be slaughtered for profit. On these occasions the group have been successful in chasing off the dangerous and armed abductors, but not without risk.
“It is most unfortunate that cow protection today in Krishna’s holy land means that one has to risk his life to keep them from being abducted for slaughter,” Kurma Rupa says.
Devotees and well wishers who wish to help should contact Uttar Pradesh government ministers and demand action be taken against those who kidnap and kill cows. Letters can be faxed to the Chief Minister at the following fax number: +91 522 2237620.
Kidnapping of cows is a criminal offence In Vrindavan. Residents of Vrindavan say the villagers and cows need support and protection whilst the police need resources to stop and catch those who prey on the cows.
If you wish you can send your letter by email to [email protected]. All the letters sent to this email address will be collected and presented to the Chief Minister with a petition asking his government to take action.
“It is most unfortunate that cow protection today in Krishna’s holy land means that one has to risk his life to keep them from being abducted for slaughter,” Kurma Rupa says.
Devotees and well wishers who wish to help should contact Uttar Pradesh government ministers and demand action be taken against those who kidnap and kill cows. Letters can be faxed to the Chief Minister at the following fax number: +91 522 2237620.
Kidnapping of cows is a criminal offence In Vrindavan. Residents of Vrindavan say the villagers and cows need support and protection whilst the police need resources to stop and catch those who prey on the cows.
If you wish you can send your letter by email to [email protected]. All the letters sent to this email address will be collected and presented to the Chief Minister with a petition asking his government to take action.
A king or ruler is meant to treat all the living beings in his kingdom as his own self or children. The subjects also lovingly treated the king as their father.
In this age, however, so-called kings and presidents do not treat all other living entities as their own self. Most of them are meat-eaters, and even though they may not be meat-eaters and may pose themselves to be very religious and pious, they still allow cow slaughter within their state.
~ Srila Prabhupada (Srimad Bhagavatam 6.7.24)
How Vrindavan Is Losing Its Cows To Slaughter
By Antony Brennan
Subhangi Devi Dasi lives in Vrindavan, India. Recently she was awoken early in the morning to witness a site none of us would even dream could be happening. Krishna's cows are being violently kidnapped in the night. It is believed the cows are killed and sold for their flesh and leather products.
"I was sleeping," Subhangi Devi Dasi says. "At 2.00 am I hear cows crying, people screaming and yelling. I run out to my balcony and see a truck backing away and cows franticly running in all directions down the lanes, all crying. I have never seen that in Vrindavan."
Subhangi was witnessing the kidnapping of the local cows. "Then I see some local men throwing stones at the trucks and swearing in Hindi, some other men came with machetes and one with a rifle," Subhangi says. These men were coming to protect the cows "The truck backed out of the road and drove off."
Arjuna, one of the men trying to protect the cows says the kidnappers came with several trucks. "They caught and stole 48 cows just here in this area," he says. "The men were ruthless, throwing the cows in the back of their trucks, beating then and in some cases killing them if they were resisting," Arjuna says. "Blood was everywhere."
Villagers say the kidnappers are armed and attack anyone who tries to stop them. "A month or so back." Arjuna says. "The police put up barricades to try to stop the kidnappers. That night they rammed the barricades with their trucks."
"It is so out of control," says Arjuna. "Vrindavan is the land of cows and these demons have become aware that there are so many cows and goshallas just ripe for the picking." The locals are helpless. They can do little without risking their own lives.
It is reported that 15 days ago, when the police tried to stop them, the kidnappers rammed a police jeep. A policeman fired a shot and he got a rock in the head for his effort. It is reported that the police had to pull back as there were only four of them, whilst there were eight heavily armed kidnappers. "They criminals seem to be aware of how much resistance they will encounter and come prepared to meet it," Arjuna says.
"Sometimes they hit the cows in the head with rocks and sometimes shoot them or hack them with machetes if they resist," says Arjuna. "They used to come in one truck now they travel with four trucks at a time."
Subhangi Devi Dasi says she has heard the cows can fetch up to 10,000 rupees. It is no wonder kidnappers are armed and are prepared to injure even the police. Villagers who try to prevent the kidnappings are said to be placing themselves and their families in a very dangerous situation.
My comments: I'm writing with a heavy heart. After reading this article, I was motionless for sometime and still in shock. I don't know how such incidents keep happening. Vrindavan residents should be aggressive and do something concrete (large-scale strike/ road-blocking, notifying media houses) to bring the attention of the nation. If this is not immediately stopped, those murderers will increase their activities.
"I was sleeping," Subhangi Devi Dasi says. "At 2.00 am I hear cows crying, people screaming and yelling. I run out to my balcony and see a truck backing away and cows franticly running in all directions down the lanes, all crying. I have never seen that in Vrindavan."
Subhangi was witnessing the kidnapping of the local cows. "Then I see some local men throwing stones at the trucks and swearing in Hindi, some other men came with machetes and one with a rifle," Subhangi says. These men were coming to protect the cows "The truck backed out of the road and drove off."
Arjuna, one of the men trying to protect the cows says the kidnappers came with several trucks. "They caught and stole 48 cows just here in this area," he says. "The men were ruthless, throwing the cows in the back of their trucks, beating then and in some cases killing them if they were resisting," Arjuna says. "Blood was everywhere."
Villagers say the kidnappers are armed and attack anyone who tries to stop them. "A month or so back." Arjuna says. "The police put up barricades to try to stop the kidnappers. That night they rammed the barricades with their trucks."
"It is so out of control," says Arjuna. "Vrindavan is the land of cows and these demons have become aware that there are so many cows and goshallas just ripe for the picking." The locals are helpless. They can do little without risking their own lives.
It is reported that 15 days ago, when the police tried to stop them, the kidnappers rammed a police jeep. A policeman fired a shot and he got a rock in the head for his effort. It is reported that the police had to pull back as there were only four of them, whilst there were eight heavily armed kidnappers. "They criminals seem to be aware of how much resistance they will encounter and come prepared to meet it," Arjuna says.
"Sometimes they hit the cows in the head with rocks and sometimes shoot them or hack them with machetes if they resist," says Arjuna. "They used to come in one truck now they travel with four trucks at a time."
Subhangi Devi Dasi says she has heard the cows can fetch up to 10,000 rupees. It is no wonder kidnappers are armed and are prepared to injure even the police. Villagers who try to prevent the kidnappings are said to be placing themselves and their families in a very dangerous situation.
My comments: I'm writing with a heavy heart. After reading this article, I was motionless for sometime and still in shock. I don't know how such incidents keep happening. Vrindavan residents should be aggressive and do something concrete (large-scale strike/ road-blocking, notifying media houses) to bring the attention of the nation. If this is not immediately stopped, those murderers will increase their activities.
Ahmedabad Crime Round Up: 25 Cows Stolen In One Night
Monday, Oct 1, 2012, Agency: DNA
In his application with Aslali police on Sunday, Ishwar Rabari said that a 20-strong gang stole his 25 cows late on Saturday night.
Rabari, who hails from Bevdi village of Daskroi taluka, alleged that the gang came in seven vehicles, including mini-trucks and jeeps and broke into the cow shelter adjoining his house.
They tranquilised the cows and hauled them away in the trucks. The incident happened at about 2.30am on Sunday.
Rabari woke up hearing the noise and came out of his house, only to spot the goons run away with the cattle. He gathered other villagers and chased them but the gang was well equipped to handle any such situation.
They pelted stones at the villagers and managed to escape into the darkness in the ensuing melee.
Police sub-inspector with Aslali, DL Dodia has launched investigations in the case.
Rabari, who hails from Bevdi village of Daskroi taluka, alleged that the gang came in seven vehicles, including mini-trucks and jeeps and broke into the cow shelter adjoining his house.
They tranquilised the cows and hauled them away in the trucks. The incident happened at about 2.30am on Sunday.
Rabari woke up hearing the noise and came out of his house, only to spot the goons run away with the cattle. He gathered other villagers and chased them but the gang was well equipped to handle any such situation.
They pelted stones at the villagers and managed to escape into the darkness in the ensuing melee.
Police sub-inspector with Aslali, DL Dodia has launched investigations in the case.
Gurgaon - 7 Cops Beaten Up By Villagers
Sanjay Yadav, Times News Network, Apr 3, 2012,
Seven policemen were beaten up mercilessly by villagers after they failed to stop cow smugglers early on Monday morning at the Kaliyawas village police barrier. After driving away the policemen, the villagers also blocked the Gurgaon-Badli road near Makdola village.
After getting assurance from ACP (Sadar) Krishna Murari that action will be taken against the cops, the villagers ended the road blockade. Sources said that all the seven cops were suspended on the charge of dereliction of duty and transferred to Police Lines, Gurgaon. Police officials did not confirm the cops’ suspension and transfer yet.
According to the police, the incident took place at the Kaliyawas village police barrier around 3AM on Monday. The barrier was installed for the prevention and detection of crime by the Gurgaon crime branch near Kaliyawas village of Farrukhnagar. At this barrier seven cops were deployed. They were EASI Chander Singh, Raghunath, constable Naresh, Dinesh, Sudesh, Roshan, Mahipal and Vijay.
According to the villagers, six to seven cow smugglers were seen rushing to the village in a max open jeep late on Sunday night. When villagers wanted to know the reason, they could not give a satisfactory answer and started to flee from the village. In the meantime, on the doubt, two villagers followed them on a bike, and were hit by stones thrown from the jeep by the cow smugglers.
The villagers on the bike then took the help of a truck driver who was in a dhaba on the way. The truck driver helped them give chase in his truck but cops stopped the truck at the barrier and helped the cow smugglers escape with ease.
That enraged the villagers who went on the rampage and beat up the policemen. The rest of the police force fled the spot. Some
hours after that, the villagers sat on a dharna on the Gurgaon-Badli road, causing a massive traffic jam.
When police reinforcements reached the spot and the ACP spoke to them, villagers agreed to end their blockade. Meanwhile, villagers also alleged that cattle theft had increased in the area and police were not lodging any complaint.
After getting assurance from ACP (Sadar) Krishna Murari that action will be taken against the cops, the villagers ended the road blockade. Sources said that all the seven cops were suspended on the charge of dereliction of duty and transferred to Police Lines, Gurgaon. Police officials did not confirm the cops’ suspension and transfer yet.
According to the police, the incident took place at the Kaliyawas village police barrier around 3AM on Monday. The barrier was installed for the prevention and detection of crime by the Gurgaon crime branch near Kaliyawas village of Farrukhnagar. At this barrier seven cops were deployed. They were EASI Chander Singh, Raghunath, constable Naresh, Dinesh, Sudesh, Roshan, Mahipal and Vijay.
According to the villagers, six to seven cow smugglers were seen rushing to the village in a max open jeep late on Sunday night. When villagers wanted to know the reason, they could not give a satisfactory answer and started to flee from the village. In the meantime, on the doubt, two villagers followed them on a bike, and were hit by stones thrown from the jeep by the cow smugglers.
The villagers on the bike then took the help of a truck driver who was in a dhaba on the way. The truck driver helped them give chase in his truck but cops stopped the truck at the barrier and helped the cow smugglers escape with ease.
That enraged the villagers who went on the rampage and beat up the policemen. The rest of the police force fled the spot. Some
hours after that, the villagers sat on a dharna on the Gurgaon-Badli road, causing a massive traffic jam.
When police reinforcements reached the spot and the ACP spoke to them, villagers agreed to end their blockade. Meanwhile, villagers also alleged that cattle theft had increased in the area and police were not lodging any complaint.
UP IPS Officer Shunted Out For Exposing Minister In Cow Smuggling
By Niticentral Staff on February 7, 2013
Gonda superintendent of police Navneet Kumar Rana, who exposed senior Samajwadi Party leader KC Pandey offering bribe for the release of culprits caught in trafficking cows for slaughter, has been shunted out by the Uttar Pradesh Government.
Pandey figured in a sting operation of cattle smuggling carried out by Rana.
On December 29, 2012, Gonda police seized a truck carrying a consignment of cows in Khargapur.
Rana had alleged that SP national secretary KC Pandey, who enjoys the status of a Minister of State as vice-chairman of UP Council of Sugarcane Research, had allegedly offered bribe for leaving the seized truck.
It is noted that Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had assured “proper inquiry” after the issue came to the light and promised action against the traffickers.
Meanwhile, the UP Government has transferred the probe into the cattle smuggling case to CB-CID.
Pandey figured in a sting operation of cattle smuggling carried out by Rana.
On December 29, 2012, Gonda police seized a truck carrying a consignment of cows in Khargapur.
Rana had alleged that SP national secretary KC Pandey, who enjoys the status of a Minister of State as vice-chairman of UP Council of Sugarcane Research, had allegedly offered bribe for leaving the seized truck.
It is noted that Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had assured “proper inquiry” after the issue came to the light and promised action against the traffickers.
Meanwhile, the UP Government has transferred the probe into the cattle smuggling case to CB-CID.
But now, the many rascals heading the government allow animal slaughter. When Maharaja Pariksit saw a degraded man trying to kill a cow, he immediately drew his sword and said, "Who are you? Why are you trying to kill this cow?" He was a real king. Nowadays, unqualified men have taken the presidential post. And although they may pose themselves as very religious, they are simply rascals. Why? Because under their noses thousands of cows are being killed, while they collect a good salary. Any leader who is at all religious should resign his post in protest if cow slaughter goes on under his rule. Since people do not know that these administrators are rascals, they are suffering. And the people are also rascals because they are voting for these bigger rascals. It is Plato's view that the government should be ideal, and this is the ideal: The saintly philosophers should be at the head of the state; according to their advice the politicians should rule
~ Srila Prabhupada (Journey of Self Discovery 7.1)
