A tragic incident unfolded on Monday night in Kokrajhar, Assam, when a mob attacked a group of five men on suspicion of cattle theft, resulting in one fatality and four serious injuries. According to police reports, the victims were involved in a road construction project and were returning from a site inspection when the attack took place. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, raising serious concerns about mob violence and law enforcement challenges in the region.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Attack
The police investigation revealed that the vehicle carrying the victims was traveling along the Gouri Nagar-Mashing Road stretch when a group of local villagers tried to stop it, suspecting the occupants to be cattle thieves. The situation escalated rapidly when the vehicle met with an accident in the area. Following the crash, the mob allegedly attacked the occupants violently and set the vehicle on fire. Emergency services, including police and fire personnel, rushed to the scene after local residents raised the alarm. The victims were immediately taken to Kokrajhar Medical College and Hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Casualties and Medical Response
At the hospital, one of the victims, identified as Sikhna Jwhwlao Bismit, also known as Raja, succumbed to his injuries. The other four victims—Prabhat Brahma, Jubiraj Brahma, Sunil Murmu, and Mahesh Murmu—sustained severe injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the medical facility. The nature and extent of their injuries have not been disclosed in detail, but their condition is reported to be serious. This brutal attack highlights the dangerous consequences of mob justice and the urgent need for swift legal action to prevent such incidents in the future.
Aftermath and Community Response
The violent episode sparked widespread tension in parts of Kokrajhar, prompting a strong security presence to maintain law and order. Local residents staged protests outside a police outpost and blocked a major highway on Tuesday, demanding justice for the deceased victim and the arrest of those responsible for the attack. The police have so far arrested nineteen individuals in connection with the case, and investigations are ongoing. The incident has drawn attention to the increasing instances of vigilantism in the region and underscores the critical importance of community awareness and effective policing to curb such acts of violence.
