Assam: Cattle thief caught red-handed in Margherita tea garden, two arrested

The menace of cattle theft has been steadily rising in Margherita Tea Garden under the 83rd Margherita Legislative Assembly Constituency in Tinsukia district, causing growing concern among local residents and tea garden workers.

Residents said frequent incidents of cattle theft have disrupted their peace of mind, particularly affecting workers of the Margherita Tea Estate who depend on cows and goats as livestock for their livelihood. According to locals, thieves have been keeping close watch on livestock and, in several cases, have stolen animals even during daylight hours before fleeing the area.

In a fresh incident on Tuesday night, residents of the tea garden caught a cattle thief red-handed in the Joom Line area of the Margherita Tea Estate. Reports said that during the day, cattle thieves identified as Shivraj Mahananda and Dipak Pahari had allegedly tied a cow inside the tea garden with the intention of stealing it after dark.

Acting on specific information, the cow’s owner, Baburam, remained alert and lay in wait along with other residents. When four suspected cattle thieves attempted to take the cow away after nightfall, vigilant locals intercepted them.

While two of the accused were caught by the residents, the remaining two managed to escape from the spot. The detained suspects were later handed over to the police, who arrested them and took them to Margherita Police Station for further investigation.

Police have launched a probe into the incident, while residents have demanded stricter action to curb the recurring problem of cattle theft in the tea garden areas.