Barak Bulletin Exposé Spurs Action, Hilara Tea Garden Staff Arrested for Animal Cruelty

In a significant breakthrough, Ashit Nandi alias Nandi Babu, a field staff member of Hilara Tea Garden, has been arrested by the Katigorah Police. This follows a first information report (FIR) filed yesterday by Karuna Rajbongshi, at the Katigorah Police Station. The arrest comes in the wake of Barak Bulletin’s exclusive report published last night, which shed light on the inhumane act against a defenceless animal wandering inside the tea estate.

According to the FIR, Rajbongshi alleged that 14 of their goats had been missing from the tea garden, suspected to have been killed by Nandi and his accomplices. The complaint stated, “My goat has been missing since June 16 from the Hilara Tea Garden. On June 30, at 7 AM, my brother received a video on his WhatsApp where we saw the accused number 1 (Ashit Nandi) and his accomplices murdering my goat.”

The FIR further mentioned that in the last four months, Rajbongshi has lost 14 goats, while other villagers including Nunu Bhumij, Jaychand Bhumij, and Biswajit Bhumij have collectively lost five goats. These goats went missing from the tea garden, raising suspicions of foul play.

Despite seeking justice from the Gram Panchayat, which demanded compensation from the accused, Nandi and his accomplices blatantly ignored the Panchayat’s decision. This prompted the victims to take legal action, resulting in the FIR.

Barak Bulletin’s investigative report played a crucial role in bringing this issue to light. Yesterday the Tea Garden’s Manager suspended Nandi, and the police acted swiftly to arrest him based on the FIR. The arrest of Ashit Nandi marks a significant victory for animal rights and justice for the affected villagers.

It needs to be mentioned that, Ashit Nandi, who was employed as the Tilla Babu,  a field staff member at Hilara Tea Garden in Katigorah Constituency, Cachar, has brutally killed a domesticated goat on video. The video revealed Nandi choking and trampling the goat. Garden manager Rajeshwar Choudhury expressed shock and suspended Nandi yesterday after he confessed, demanding he compensate the goat’s owner. Protests by labourers demanding justice ensued which ultimately resulted in the arrest of the accused.