Ratnagiri, Maharashtra – The Ratnagiri District Police have launched a special campaign to effectively curb cow slaughter, cattle smuggling, illegal meat sales, and other such unlawful activities in the district. This campaign is being conducted under the guidance of Superintendent of Police Nitin Bagate.
Under this campaign, stringent action is being taken against offenders in accordance with the provisions of the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, 1976, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act, 1995.
1. To maintain a strict vigil over these illegal activities in the district, 4 special flying squads have been formed at the district level. These teams are actively operating across all four police sub-divisions of the district.
2. The responsibility of these flying squads has been entrusted to the following officers –
- Khed Sub-division – Sub-Inspector of Police Shrikrishna Yewale (8779645091)
- Chiplun Sub-division – Sub-Inspector of Police Om Aghav (7776059378)
- Ratnagiri Sub-division – Sub-Inspector of Police Sagar Shinde (9028389445)
- Rajapur-Lanja Sub-division – Sub-Inspector of Police Sudhir Ubale (7350028482)
3. These flying squads have been instructed to conduct immediate raids and take strict legal action upon receiving information about cattle smuggling, slaughter, or illegal meat sales. Additionally, regular patrolling and inspection drives are being carried out within their respective jurisdictions.
4. Warning of strict action against habitual offenders and organised gangs involved in these crimes, Superintendent of Police Nitin Dattatray Bagate clarified that in such cases, action will be taken against the accused directly under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 (MCOCA).
5. Police Inspector Nitin Dhere of the Local Crime Branch has been appointed as the Chief Nodal Officer for this special campaign. Meanwhile, all Police Patils in the district have been made nodal coordinators for effective information gathering and preventative measures at the village level.
6. The Ratnagiri District Police have appealed to citizens to actively cooperate in this campaign. If anyone receives information regarding any illegal activity such as unlawful cattle smuggling, slaughter, or illegal meat sales, they should immediately contact Nodal Officer Police Inspector Nitin Dhere (9011995777), the concerned flying squad officer, the emergency helpline Dial 112, or directly contact Superintendent of Police Nitin Dattatray Bagate (8857848157).
The police administration has also assured that the identity of alert citizens providing information will be kept completely confidential.
Ratnagiri SP promises special flying squads to halt cow slaughter and smuggling after massive protest by Hindu organisations
June 27, 2026
Assurance follows public outrage over the slaughter of four cattle in Phansavale village of Ratnagiri
Ratnagiri, Maharashtra – Following widespread public outrage over the brutal slaughter of cattle in Phansavale village, the District Superintendent of Police, Nitin Bagate, has promised the immediate formation of dedicated flying squads (bharari dal) to dismantle illegal cattle smuggling networks and animal slaughter operations across Ratnagiri district.
The assurance came on June 24, 2026, after a massive protest was staged outside the SP office by various devout Hindu organisations, gau-rakshaks, and devout Hindus. The protestors also submitted a memorandum to the SP demanding immediate arrest of the unidentified perpetrators and robust administrative action to curb the rising incidents of cattle crime in the region.
Protesters pointed out that despite the state government elevating the cow to the status of ‘Rajyamata’ (State Mother), open violations continue to occur, raising concerns over the effectiveness of current law enforcement measures.
In response, SP Nitin Bagate stated that several crackdowns on such crimes have been executed since he assumed office. He assured the delegation that he is personally monitoring the Phansavale investigation and that concrete results would be visible shortly.
Key demands in the memorandum
The public outcry stems from a grim discovery on June 21, 2026, in the Tambadyacha Parya area of Phansavale village, under the jurisdiction of the Ratnagiri Rural Police Station. Investigators estimate that approximately four cattle were slaughtered a couple of days prior, with authorities recovering around 1.5 tonnes of beef from the scene. A formal criminal case has been registered.
The memorandum submitted to the SP outlines several urgent demands:
rt, ensuring the strictest punishment under the cases registered against them under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act.
- Immediate Arrests on a War Footing: The unidentified accused involved in the brutal slaughter of approximately four cattle in the Tambadyacha Parya area of Phansavale village must be tracked down and arrested immediately on a war footing.
- Fast-Track Trial: A special public prosecutor must be appointed to conduct the trial in a fast-track court, ensuring the strictest possible punishment under the registered cases under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act.
- Formation of Special Flying Squads: Dedicated flying squads (bharari dal) must be formed immediately to systematically dismantle the network of illegal animal transportation and cow slaughter throughout the district, backed by strict administrative instructions to the police force.
- Application of MCOCA: Given the organized nature of these repeated offenses, strict action must be taken against the accused under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
- Enhanced CCTV Surveillance: CCTV cameras must be installed at all necessary and vulnerable locations, and electronic surveillance must be significantly upgraded at all police checkpoints across the district.
- Addressing Public Sentiments and Health Concerns: Strict note must be taken of the fact that discarding cattle remains in the open was a deliberate attempt to hurt Hindu religious sentiments and disturb regional social peace, while the resulting foul odour created a severe threat to public health.
- Ultimatum for District-Wide Agitation: If the main masterminds and perpetrators behind this incident are not apprehended swiftly, all devout Hindu organisations will launch a massive, widespread agitation across Ratnagiri district.
The protest saw significant participation from members and representatives of multiple organisations, including Shri Shivamanthistan Hindusthan, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, Sanatan Sanstha, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, Gadkille Samvardhan Pratishthan, Vishwamangal Goshala, Someshwar Go Seva Sangh Ratnagiri, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
