25/11/2025
Bhubaneswar, 25 November 2025 — A tense situation unfolded on Tuesday morning near the Bhubaneswar–Khurda railway stretch after Gau Rakshak volunteers halted the Dibrugarh–Kanyakumari Vivek Express (Train No. 22503/22504) on suspicion of illegal cow transportation inside a locked goods coach.
The alert was raised at around 7:00 AM, when passengers and volunteers noticed livestock inside the coach and feared possible cow smuggling. Within minutes, nearly 100 Gau Rakshak members gathered at the spot and informed the nearby Khurda Police Station.
Teams from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) immediately reached the location. The locked coach was opened in the presence of officers, volunteers, and passengers.
During verification, the railway authorities were unable to produce all legal documents and transport permits connected to the livestock, which further fueled suspicion among the crowd.
Upon partial inspection, RPF officials clarified that the animals inside were buffaloes, not cows. Volunteers were allowed to see the animals themselves, confirming that no cows were present.
“These are buffaloes, not cows. Some documents are incomplete, but no cow transport has taken place,” an RPF official informed the crowd.
Despite the initial tension, the situation was handled peacefully and professionally.
RPF, GRP, and local police cooperated fully with the volunteers, ensuring that the coach was opened, inspected, and transparency was maintained throughout the process.
Officers also coordinated with the public to end the temporary blockade, clear the railway track, and resume train movement safely.
The incident highlights increasing public vigilance regarding livestock transport and underscores the importance of rail authorities maintaining complete documentation to avoid confusion and public unrest.
