Phulpur Police Arrest Cattle Smugglers in Shootout

On Monday, the Phulpur police arrested two members of an inter-state gang of cattle smugglers in an encounter near Kaitholi turn. The incident occurred as the police, led by Police Inspector-in-Charge Praveen Kumar Singh, were patrolling the area to ensure the safe conduct of the Kanwar Yatra and Shrawan Mela.

An informant had reported two suspicious individuals on a motorcycle, carrying illegal weapons, near Kaitholi turn. When the police arrived, the criminals attempted to flee towards Jaunpur via the highway. The police followed and surrounded them, leading to a confrontation near the Nathipur intersection. During the check, one of the smugglers fired at the police, who responded in self-defense, injuring him in the right leg.

The injured smuggler was identified as Ajay Gupta, a resident of Mainpur in Baburi police station of Chandauli district. His accomplice, Shivpujan Gupta of Chandauli district, was arrested at the scene. Ajay revealed that the motorcycle belonged to his friend Sonu, and that Govind Singh, a resident of Darauli Durgawati in Kaimur police station area of Bhabua district (Bihar), had informed him about a pickup vehicle used for cow smuggling, hidden in Kuwar Bazaar in Phulpur police station area.

Both Ajay and Shivpujan are linked to an active cow smuggling gang led by Govind Singh, which operates across districts like Varanasi, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, and Chandauli. Ajay has a total of eight criminal cases registered against him in various police stations.