Lucknow Cracks Down on Illegal Dairies in Para After Attack on Civic and Police Team; Nearly 200 Buffaloes Seized
Lucknow Municipal Corporation and police forces launched a major enforcement drive in the Para area on Tuesday, removing approximately 200 buffaloes from illegal dairies following an attack on a joint team earlier in the week.
The operation, conducted with heavy security including personnel from Para, Dubagga and Kakori police stations along with a company of the Provincial Armed Constabulary, saw teams equipped with helmets and bulletproof jackets clear livestock from residential pockets including Tikonia, Gayatri Vihar, Gyanendra Vihar, areas near Haider Canal and Deputy Kheda. The seized animals were transported to Kanji House in Thakurganj.
The action came after a cattle-catching team of the municipal corporation, accompanied by police, was attacked on Sunday while attempting to seize buffaloes. Sub-inspector Vinay Patel of the Buddheshwar outpost was allegedly surrounded, choked and beaten with an iron chain or rod, sustaining a head injury. Municipal employees also faced stone-pelting and alleged assaults. A case was registered on the complaint of Animal Welfare Officer Avdhesh Kumar against 13 named persons including Abrab, Imran, Saloon, Subil, Sarafat, Atiq, Aashif, Warish, Naseem, Ranu, Zeeshan and Nafish, along with 24 unidentified individuals. Two women, Khushboon (24) and Afreen (26), were arrested earlier and sent to judicial custody. Six persons have been arrested so far in connection with the incident, with further action underway.
Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, who visited the site along with Municipal Commissioner Gaurav Kumar, stated that the attack on the team was unacceptable. “The way they beat municipal employees and the inspector was completely unacceptable. Strict action will be taken. The entire area will be cleared,” she said, adding that the police are meant to protect citizens and not to be assaulted. The mayor noted that residents had been complaining for 15-20 days about livestock causing drainage blockages and unhygienic conditions in the locality.
Under the Municipal Corporation Act, 1959, keeping buffaloes within urban limits is prohibited as they are classified as polluting animals, with a maximum of two cows permitted under licence. Officials emphasised that illegal dairies contribute to public nuisance, blocked drains and pollution.
The drive took place amid continued intermittent rain and waterlogging across the city, conditions that have disrupted daily life in several localities in recent days as reported in coverage of the ongoing monsoon challenges. Civic teams remain engaged in addressing such infrastructure pressures while enforcing regulations.
The municipal corporation has also been active on other fronts, including the recent launch of a one-time settlement scheme for property tax dues that allows waiver of interest and surcharge. Authorities have indicated that similar firm measures will continue against violations affecting public health and urban order.
