Police, forest officials say it was done to avoid commotion
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The police raid on the Assam-based circus last Saturday, which bust one of the biggest child trafficking racket, was a closely guarded operation by the forest department, to pre-empt the accused from letting loose the animals, creating chaos near the bus stand and fish market at Margao.
The police and forest officials told Herald they were prepared to prevent the possible commotion which could have been created at the time of the raid. “There have been instances in the past when circus owners untie the animals who then go on rampage. Saturday’s raid was meticulously planned and trained forest officers were part of the police teams to avoid possible dangers that animals in circus pose to both law enforcers and the public,” an officer wishing anonymity disclosed.
The tainted Moon light Circus had five elephants, equal number of horses, one camel and about 25-30 dogs performing scores of stunts at shows across the country. These animals were in the premises at the time of the raid.
“The caged and tied animals wait for an opportunity to escape from harrowing experiences which they reportedly undergo during training and performances. If these were let loose, it could have possibly sparked mayhem. We therefore plotted the entire raid in such a way to ensure safety of the populace and the animals as well,” a police officer said.
Meanwhile, it is learnt from police investigations that the accused persons, including the circus owner would buy children, aged one from poor families so that they could be trained in variety of dangerous stunts.
“Once they grow up, it is difficult to learn these stunts, which is why circuses prefer taking children at a tender age,” said an officer.
The five accused have been remanded to police custody for interrogation which the rescued 18 children have been lodged at shelter home.
The police are also probing whether these children actually hail from the states as stated by the owner.
