Mob Furious Over Cattle Theft in Arkatipur Tea Estate, Vandalises Vehicle, One Suspect in Police Custody

A cattle theft incident in the Arkatipur Tea Estate area on Sunday evening triggered public outrage, leading to a chase, three human injuries, a road collision, and the apprehension of one suspect.

According to locals, at around 7:30 on Sunday (March 23) evening, three individuals allegedly stole two cows from the Arkatipur tea estate and attempted to transport them in a four-wheeler. A resident who spotted their suspicious activity confronted them, but the trio reportedly attacked him before fleeing towards the Silchar-Imphal National Highway.

While attempting to escape, their vehicle collided with an auto-rickshaw at the tea estate road’s tri-junction, injuring a 13-year-old boy and another man. The crash left their vehicle immobilised, alerting tea garden labourers and residents, who quickly mobilised to catch the thieves. Fearing capture, the suspects abandoned their car and tried to flee on foot.

One of them, later identified as Munna Ali from Ghoniawala, Silchar, was caught by locals at the tri-junction. However, fearing that an enraged mob might lynch him, some locals rushed him to the Rongpur Outpost for safety. Meanwhile, the mob rescued the cows crammed inside the vehicle and began damaging the car. This incident has been caught on camera.

Police from Rongpur Out Post rushed to the spot to realise the mob was beyond their manpower to be controlled.

As the situation escalated, Rongpur police alerted Silchar Sadar Police Station, which dispatched additional forces. Despite their efforts, the police struggled to pacify the mob. Later, Cachar Superintendent of Police (SP) Numal Mahatta arrived with reinforcements and persuaded the crowd to avoid further violence, assuring them that strict action would be taken.

“Locals were injured when the miscreants attempted to flee with the stolen cattle. We reached the spot to control the situation and, after discussions, managed to restore peace. One of the three accused has been apprehended, and we are actively searching for the remaining two. We have also recovered the stolen cattle and the getaway vehicle,” said SP Mahatta.

Tea garden workers expressed concerns over recurring cattle thefts in the area and alleged that local agents were aiding such crimes. They urged SP Mahatta to crack down on those facilitating thefts.

“When we heard about the cattle theft, we saw the car speeding out of the garden and chased it. At the tri-junction, it crashed into an auto-rickshaw, and the thieves escaped. When we reached the car, it was empty, but we found two cows inside. Later, the police arrived and recovered the cattle. The SP assured us that the culprits would be arrested soon and assured us strict punitive measures,” said a local tea garden worker.

SP Mahatta assured residents that all involved would be arrested. “The locals informed us about possible facilitators in these thefts. If anyone is found aiding such crimes, they will face legal action,” he added.

The situation is now under control, and police have launched a search operation to apprehend the remaining suspects.