Social activists have raised concerns over the alleged rise in illegal transportation of cattle through Thoppur in Tamil Nadu’s Dharmapuri district to Kerala for slaughter, urging authorities to establish a permanent check post and intensify vehicle inspections along the route, as reported in Dinakaran.
According to activists, Thoppur, located on the Dharmapuri district border, lies on the Kanyakumari–Kashmir National Highway, one of the country’s busiest highways that witnesses thousands of vehicles every day. They alleged that organised groups are exploiting this route to transport cattle from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to Kerala.
The activists claimed that the network purchases buffaloes and cattle in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha before transporting them to Kerala, where they allegedly fetch significantly higher prices. While a buffalo valued at around ₹50,000 in other states is reportedly sold for nearly ₹80,000 in Kerala, creating a strong financial incentive for illegal transportation.
They further alleged that the animals are crammed into lorries in violation of transport regulations and are subjected to severe cruelty during transit. According to the activists, the cattle are transported without being provided food or water, causing immense suffering throughout the journey.
Citing existing guidelines governing livestock transportation, the activists said cattle being moved for sale or other legitimate purposes from one district to another must undergo mandatory veterinary inspection before transport. They added that the rules stipulate that livestock should not be transported for more than 80 to 90 kilometres in a single day without appropriate care.
The activists also pointed out that transport regulations permit only six cattle to be carried in a 25-foot-long vehicle, and require that adequate fodder and drinking water be provided throughout the journey.
However, they alleged that smugglers routinely flout these norms by loading more than 30 cattle into a single 25-foot lorry, resulting in overcrowding and cruelty to the animals.
Demanding stricter enforcement, the activists urged the authorities to establish a permanent check post at Thoppur to inspect vehicles travelling along the highway. They also called for stringent action against those found transporting cattle illegally or violating animal transport regulations.
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