The body of a 52-year-old man, identified as Montu Mia, was recovered from beneath a bridge over the Khutamara River in the Sitalkuchi area of West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district on Sunday morning. His family has alleged that he was intercepted and beaten to death by a group of alleged cow vigilantes while transporting a cow on Saturday evening.
Police have registered a criminal case and launched an investigation. At the time of the family’s allegations, no arrests had been reported.
Family alleges assault by cow vigilantes
Montu Mia, a resident of Nagar Shingimari village under Golenawhati Gram Panchayat, worked as a cattle handler (rakhal), earning a livelihood by escorting cattle purchased at local markets to buyers’ homes.
According to local residents, cattle trading in several markets under the Sitalkuchi police station area had remained suspended for nearly two months following the recent Assembly elections. The Gosai’s Market cattle market reportedly reopened on Saturday, attracting buyers and traders from surrounding villages.
Local sources said a resident of Pathantuli village, Yakub Mia, purchased a cow and requested Montu Mia to deliver it to his home. Witnesses stated that Montu left the market on foot with the animal on Saturday evening but never returned.
This story was originally published in theobserverpost.com. Read the full story here.