Cow Vigilante Attack in Bhubaneswar Leaves Calf Dead, Farmers Assaulted

Bhubaneswar : Tension erupted near Palasuni Square in Bhubaneswar after a group of alleged cow vigilantes intercepted milk farmers transporting cattle under the state’s Mukhyamantri Kamadhenu Yojana, resulting in the death of a calf.

According to reports, the farmers from Sithalo village in Cuttack district had purchased four cows and three calves from Andhra Pradesh with financial aid under the government scheme. They were bringing the cattle in two vehicles when they were stopped by a group of men claiming to be members of a cow protection outfit. The vigilantes reportedly demanded proof of procurement.

Although the farmers produced valid documents, the group allegedly dismissed them as fake, stripped the farmers of their clothes, and physically assaulted them. In the ensuing chaos, one calf reportedly died.

Shaken by the incident, the farmers rushed to Mancheswar Police Station and lodged a formal complaint. As a mark of protest, they placed the dead calf’s body on the road, mourning its loss and demanding justice.

This is the second such incident reported in Bhubaneswar within a week. Earlier, at Baramunda, milk farmers were allegedly attacked by vigilantes who looted nearly Rs 70,000 in cash and vandalised four vehicles. The back-to-back incidents have triggered outrage among farmer groups, who are now demanding stronger police action to curb vigilante violence and safeguard beneficiaries of government cattle schemes.