Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Rawat on Sunday said the state government will implement the Uttarakhand Protection of Cow Progency Act, 2007, under which cattle protection teams will be formed in Kumaon and Garhwal divisions.

Each Govansh conservation squad will have 11 policemen, including an inspector, he said. The teams will will keep a check on cow smuggling in these areas and take necessary legal action against those found smuggling cows, Rawat added.

On Saturday, Rawat said he had asked the police authorities to constitute a special squad to keep a check on cow smuggling in Haridwar, Hindustan Times reported. “The step was taken following complaints regarding increasing incidence of cow slaughter and smuggling being reported from that district,” Rawat said.