A community-led effort to combat cattle theft in a Dibrugarh village spiraled into a major confrontation with police in the early hours of Friday, forcing officers to fire blank rounds to control an angry mob demanding instant justice.
From Vigil to Violence: How the Night Unfolded
Residents of Maijan Natun Gaon in Dibrugarh district had been living on edge for over a week, following a spate of livestock thefts. Frustrated by the perceived lack of police action, local youths took matters into their own hands, organizing night patrols during the New Year period.
The situation came to a head around 4 am on Friday. The vigilante group spotted a suspicious vehicle with three occupants navigating the village lanes. When they attempted to stop the car, the driver allegedly tried to speed away. Undeterred, the villagers blocked the road and forced the vehicle to a halt.
According to local accounts, the occupants refused to step out. The villagers then surrounded the car and called the police. Tensions, however, skyrocketed when the police arrived and proceeded to take the three suspects into custody. The crowd, convinced of the men's guilt in the cattle thefts, attempted to snatch them from police custody, with many openly calling for "mob justice."
Police Response and Rising Tensions
In an effort to disperse the agitated crowd, police personnel fired blank shots into the air. This action, instead of calming the situation, further inflamed passions. The locals began accusing the police of shielding criminals, leading to a volatile standoff.
Dibrugarh Senior Superintendent of Police, Abhijit Gurav, rushed to the spot with additional reinforcements. Speaking to reporters later, SSP Gurav explained the police's perspective. "Our team reached shortly after receiving the call. The situation became tense as people tried to assault the detainees, forcing us to fire blank rounds to bring the situation under control," he stated.
He confirmed that the three detained individuals were taken to Dibrugarh Police Station for questioning. However, in a significant update, Gurav noted, "So far, no concrete evidence has been found linking them to cattle theft." He emphasized that interrogation was ongoing and assured that lawful action would be taken against anyone found guilty—be it the suspects or those who attempted to take the law into their own hands.
Community Frustration and Lasting Tensions
The incident has laid bare the deep-seated frustration within the community over cattle rustling. Villagers expressed anger at what they described as police inaction despite repeated complaints over the past week. "Cows were being taken every other night. We informed the police, but no one came to patrol. Left with no choice, we started our own vigil," a local resident said.
The resident added, "But instead of supporting us, police fired in the air—it felt like we were the ones being targeted." This sentiment echoed among many in the village, where the area remained tense throughout the day. Authorities deployed additional police forces to the location to prevent any further escalation or flare-up of violence.
SSP Gurav said that the Additional Superintendent of Police has been directed to monitor and investigate the entire incident, from the initial complaints of cattle theft to the early morning clash. The episode highlights the challenges of law enforcement in rural areas and the dangers of vigilante justice when communities lose faith in institutional responses to crime.
