Tensions Rise in Dibrugarh Over Cattle Theft Incident
Community Vigil Turns Chaotic
Jorhat, Jan 2: A community effort to prevent cattle theft escalated into a confrontation between local residents and law enforcement in Dibrugarh, leading to police firing shots into the air to disperse an agitated crowd early Friday morning.
The incident unfolded in Maijan New Village, where frustrations over police inaction regarding ongoing thefts sparked unrest among the villagers.
Concerns over cattle and goat theft have been rising in various regions of Upper Assam, causing significant anxiety among the local population.
Residents reported that thefts had surged over the past week, prompting young community members to organize a night vigil during the New Year celebrations.
At approximately 3 am, a suspicious vehicle was seen driving through the village. When villagers attempted to stop it, the occupants allegedly tried to escape. After villagers set up a blockade, the vehicle was forced to stop, but its occupants refused to exit. The police were then notified.
When police arrived, tensions escalated as they reportedly allowed the suspects to leave without any questioning. This decision infuriated the villagers, who accused the police of protecting the thieves and subsequently staged a protest.
As the situation grew more intense, some villagers confronted the police, prompting officers to fire shots into the air to regain control. Additional police units were dispatched to the scene as tensions continued to rise.
“Thefts have been a recurring issue in Maijan New Village. Thieves arrive in various vehicles and steal cattle directly from the sheds. Frustrated by the police's inaction, we decided to keep watch from midnight. When we confronted a vehicle around 3 am, the occupants called the police. However, the police let them go without any investigation. When we questioned this, the police resorted to firing,” claimed a local resident.
While there has been no official comment from the police regarding the incident, residents believe this event highlights the ongoing neglect of the escalating cattle theft issue in their area.