Udupi: Hiriyadka police arrested two men for allegedly stealing cattle from Kukkaje in Karkala taluk and transporting them for slaughter, and rescued four animals during an operation.Acting on a tip-off around 7.30pm on Friday, police intercepted a goods Tempo near Hiriyadka police station in Anjar village. The vehicle was travelling from Harikhande towards Hiriyadka. The driver initially failed to stop when signalled by police, following which the station staff were alerted and the vehicle was intercepted near the junction.The accused were identified as Abdul Sattar,54, and Yogish Naik,49, from Kaup taluk. Police said Yogish claimed ownership of the vehicle.During questioning, the accused allegedly admitted to stealing the cattle, which were grazing near the house of Krishna Poojary, a resident of Palabettu in Kukkaje village, Karkala taluk, and transporting them to a slaughterhouse for sale.The four cattle, valued at Rs 20,000, were allegedly transported without the required permission. Police said nylon ropes had been tied around the animals’ necks and legs, causing them distress. The goods Tempo, valued at Rs 3 lakh, was also seized.A case has been registered at Hiriyadka police station under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Section 11(1)(d) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, and Sections 4, 5, 7 and 12 of the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act. The accused were produced before a court, which remanded them in judicial custody.The operation was conducted under the leadership of Udupi subdivisional DSP Belliappa and circle inspector Gopikrishna. PSI Punit Kumar BE (law and order) and other police personnel participated in the operation.
