Suspected cattle thief caught, assaulted by villagers in Assam's Kokrajhar

A suspected cattle thief was caught and allegedly beaten by villagers while attempting to steal cattle at Ketengajhar near Nayekgaon in Assam's Kokrajhar district on the night of February 21.

 

The accused has been identified as Kajimuddin Sheikh alias Kazimuddin Sk, son of Moynal Haque, a resident of Santoshpur village under Chapar police station in Dhubri district.

 

According to local sources, a three-member group arrived at the residence of Joynandan Oraon in a small car with the alleged intention of stealing cattle. While one member reportedly remained inside the vehicle and another stood guard on the road, the third entered the cowshed, tied a cow and attempted to drag it away.

 

At that time, a group of village youths who had reportedly come out to chase away jackals noticed suspicious movement and intervened. On seeing them, one of the suspects fled with the vehicle, another escaped taking advantage of the darkness, while the third was apprehended by the villagers.

 

Villagers detained the accused and allegedly assaulted him before police reached the spot and rescued him from the mob. He was later shifted to Kokrajhar Medical College and Hospital for medical treatment.

 

Residents of the area claimed that incidents of cattle theft have increased in recent weeks, alleging that nearly 20 cows have been stolen from Ketengajhar alone. They also stated that three cows were recently stolen from the cowshed of village head Sanjay Oraon.

 

Locals have urged the police administration to intensify patrolling and take strict action against cattle theft gangs operating in the area.