Family alleges cow vigilantes killed Muslim cattle herder in Bengal

Kolkata: The body of a 51-year-old Muslim cattle herder was recovered from beneath a bridge in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district on July 5, with his family alleging that he was killed by cow vigilantes.

The deceased, identified as Montu Miya, worked as a dangowal, locally known as a rakhal or shepherd, transporting cattle purchased at weekly markets to buyers' homes. A resident of Nagar Shingimari village in Sitalkuchi block, he earned his livelihood by delivering cattle for customers, Siasat Daily reported.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] claimed that Montu was a party worker and supported the family's allegation that he had been brutally murdered by a mob of cow vigilantes.

Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation, but the family said no arrests had been made.

Residents said cattle trading at local markets had remained suspended for nearly two months after the West Bengal Assembly election results and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assumed power. The weekly cattle market at Gosai Market reportedly resumed on July 4.

According to villagers, a resident of Pathantulli village had asked Montu to deliver a cow purchased from the market to his home. Eyewitnesses said Montu was last seen leaving with the animal on foot on the evening of July 4. His family searched for him through the night after he failed to return.

The following day, local fishermen discovered a body beneath the Khutamara River bridge and informed the police. The body was later identified as Montu Miya, while the cow was found near the bridge.

Family members told local media that Montu's body bore multiple injuries, including broken teeth and wounds on different parts of his body. They also alleged that acid had been poured on parts of his face and body before his remains were thrown into the water.

On July 8, the CPI(M) alleged that a delegation led by party leader Minakshi Mukherjee was attacked by BJP supporters while visiting Montu's family. The party claimed that eggs were thrown at the delegation and their vehicle was attacked in the presence of police personnel, who allegedly did not intervene.

Sharing videos of the incident on social media, the CPI(M) said police arrested those allegedly involved only after Mukherjee and local party workers staged a protest and surrounded the office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police.

Speaking to Maktoob, Mukherjee alleged that the police had initially refused to register a first information report and did so only after sustained public protests. She said the family remained uncertain whether all relevant legal provisions had been invoked against those responsible.

Mukherjee also alleged that the family had faced difficulties in securing a post-mortem examination and had not yet received the report. She said the family was seeking a fair and impartial investigation into the incident.

At the time of reporting, the police had not issued any public statement responding to the family's allegations, the CPI(M)'s claims of police inaction, or the alleged attack on the party delegation.