Tension gripped Palasuni Square in Bhubaneswar on Saturday after a group of youths allegedly posing as cow vigilantes (‘gaurakshaks’) assaulted a farmer transporting cattle from Andhra Pradesh.
According to reports, the victim — a farmer from Sithala in Cuttack district — had availed a loan under the Chief Minister’s Kamdhenu Yojana to buy cattle for his livelihood. He was bringing four cows and three calves in two vehicles from Andhra Pradesh when the attackers intercepted him near Palasuni Square.
The accused, claiming to be from a cow-protection group, allegedly demanded to see the farmer’s documents. Despite producing valid papers, they dismissed them as fake and reportedly demanded money. When the farmer refused, they allegedly assaulted him and forced him to kneel on the road and strip.
During the scuffle, one calf died, adding to the farmer’s distress and sparking outrage among locals.
In response, farmers staged a roadside protest with the carcass of the calf, demanding stringent action against the culprits. The incident has raised serious concerns about law and order and the rise of vigilantism in the city.
This attack comes just days after a similar incident in Khandagiri, where miscreants vandalised a farmer’s vehicle transporting cattle on August 28.
The farmer lodged a complaint at Mancheswar Police Station, and police have launched an investigation. Authorities are verifying the authenticity of the documents produced by the farmer and working to identify the attackers.
Locals have condemned the assault, demanding immediate arrests and stronger action against self-styled vigilantes who take the law into their own hands under the pretext of cow protection.
