Ahmedabad Police crack down on stray cattle menace, several areas declared ‘no cattle zones’

In a decisive move to curb the recurring menace of stray cattle in Ahmedabad, the city police have launched a crackdown and officially declared several areas in the West Zone as ‘no cattle zones’.

The notification, issued by Commissioner of Police G S Malik on Wednesday, comes after repeated incidents of cattle roaming freely despite earlier action by the Cattle Nuisance Control Department (CNCD) and clear directives from the Gujarat High Court.

Earlier, stray cattle had led to accidents and traffic disruptions across the city, prompting the high court to take a strict stand. Following the court’s intervention, AMC’s CNCD team along with the police had managed to bring the issue under significant control.

However, in recent months, some cattle owners resumed releasing their animals on the streets. During CNCD operations to capture these animals, several staff members were even attacked by these owners.

Taking serious note of this escalating situation, the CP held a meeting with senior officials of both the municipal corporation and the police department. Based on this review, several sensitive and high-density areas in the West Zone, especially those around schools, colleges, other educational institutions, religious places, CG Road, the Riverfront Garden, and key parts of New Vadaj, were declared as strict ‘no cattle zones’. 

Additionally, regions like Bharwad Vas, the vegetable market, Garnala, Old Ranip, Sardar Patel Stadium, and the sports complex area under the Naranpura ward have been brought under the same category.

Any cattle owner found releasing animals in these zones will face legal action, with offences formally registered against them, the notification adds.