Moral Policing: Sribhumi Teens Shot, Beaten Over Cow Theft Suspicion

Two young residents of Mambari in Sribhumi district were left seriously injured after an alleged mob assault triggered by suspicions of cattle theft on Thursday (June 4). Videos of the incident show an air gun being used during the attack, while family members claim the victims were mercilessly beaten despite insisting that the cattle belonged to them.

The injured persons were first taken to Patharkandi Hospital before being referred to Karimganj Civil Hospital due to the severity of their injuries. Family members alleged that both victims were seriously injured and are currently undergoing treatment at Karimganj Civil Hospital. Relatives said they were unsure about the victims’ condition and feared for their survival due to the severity of the injuries.

Both of the injured are teenagers aged around 13 to 15 years. The father of the younger one, who is paralysed, was unable to visit him at the hospital and remained at home in distress.

Family members said the incident took place on Thursday evening when the victims went in search of missing cattle. According to their account, the family had tied four to five cows near the bypass in the Mambari area for grazing. When they returned later in the day, some of the animals had reportedly freed themselves and wandered away.

The victims allegedly managed to locate some of the cattle but were still searching for two missing animals. They found a calf near the Bazar area and were returning home when they passed through Nalugaon, relatives said.

According to the family’s version, some local residents stopped them and asked who owned the calf. When the victims replied that the animal belonged to them, suspicions were allegedly raised that they were cattle thieves.

Family members they said that a group of people then attacked the victims with sticks. They further claimed that an air gun was used during the assault. According to relatives, the victims attempted to flee but were chased, caught and beaten.

Visuals of the attack appear to support the family’s claims. The footage shows an air gun being used to shoot at the two youths. An air gun fires pellets using compressed air rather than gunpowder. While less powerful than firearms, it can still cause serious injuries, including deep wounds, eye damage, and potentially life-threatening injuries when fired from close range.

The injured persons were later taken into police custody before receiving medical treatment, family members claimed. Relatives further alleged that when family members reached the police station after learning about the incident, they too were assaulted by members of the crowd near the police station premises.

Questioning the motive behind the suspicion, one resident said there was no reason to accuse them of cattle theft and asked why such allegations were being made when the victims were allegedly walking with their own animals. The relative also alleged that the victims were kicked during the assault.

The resident who spoke about the incident alleged that a few members of the crowd appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. However, this claim could not be independently verified. Police have not yet issued an official statement regarding the allegations. The exact circumstances leading to the incident and the allegations made by both sides remain under investigation.