Two men were killed and three others injured after a mob allegedly attacked five people on suspicion of cattle theft in the Matigara-Bagdogra area of West Bengal’s Darjeeling district early Saturday, police said.
The incident took place near Tarabari village, close to the Balason River, around 2:30 am. According to police and local residents, the men were travelling in a pickup van and a car when villagers became suspicious of their presence.
The area has reportedly seen complaints of cattle theft in recent weeks.
Vehicles Set on Fire, Men Attacked
Police said the group was chased after residents raised an alarm. Some of the men were caught by locals and allegedly assaulted.
The pickup van was set on fire, while the car was extensively damaged.
The violence later spread towards the Dhimal area under Bagdogra police station, where some of the men were allegedly caught again and attacked.
Police eventually intervened and took the injured men to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital.
The two deceased were identified as Shahid Akhtar, a resident of Sonapur in Chopra, North Dinajpur, and Sajjad Mohammad, a resident of Haryana, according to Additional Commissioner of Police Anirban Majumdar.
The injured were identified as Amir Sattar, Akram Khan and Arif Khan, police said. All three were taken to hospital for treatment.
Police Investigating Cattle Theft Allegation and Mob Attack
ACP Anirban Majumdar said the police were investigating the incident and examining all aspects of the case.
“The incident started at Tarabari in Matigara area and then it spread to Bagdogra and Panighata police station areas. One died at Tarabari while another, who was undergoing treatment at the hospital, succumbed to injuries,” Majumdar said.
He said raids had been launched to identify and arrest those responsible for the killings.
Police are also examining the allegation that the victims were involved in cattle theft or smuggling. The allegation against them has not been established.
“The investigation is in the preliminary stage,” Majumdar said, adding that legal action would be taken after examining both the cattle theft allegations and the attack by locals.
Local resident Biresh Roy said the men were chased from Tarabari towards Dhimal.
“They were chased from Tarabari in Matigara to Dhimal. The villagers caught the five and attacked them. The pickup van was set on fire and the car was damaged,” Roy said.
Police Step Up Investigation
Police teams from Matigara, Bagdogra and Panighata reached the area after the violence and brought the situation under control.
Authorities are examining CCTV footage and other evidence to identify people involved in the attack. Police have also begun efforts to trace individuals who allegedly fled the area during the violence.
The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination, while the investigation into both the alleged cattle theft and the killings is continuing.
