A poor farmer in Kailashahar area of Unakoti district has alleged that three of his cows died after consuming pesticide and accused the Kailashahar police of refusing to register his complaint despite repeated appeals for nearly a week.
The incident reportedly took place in Bagacherra village under Ward No. 3 of Deoracherra ADC Village in Kailashahar. The farmer, Innush Ali, owns eight cows and earns his livelihood through farming.
According to Innush Ali, he takes his cows to a nearby hilly area every morning to graze. On the day of the incident, after leaving the cattle there and returning home, a local youth informed him that some of his cows had apparently consumed pesticide and collapsed.
Innush Ali immediately rushed to the spot and allegedly found three cows lying dead, while the remaining five were seriously ill and lying on the ground. He brought the five surviving cows home and provided them with what he described as home treatment using lemon water and tamarind water, following which they recovered.
The farmer further alleged that he found plastic bags containing pesticide near the carcasses of the three dead cows.
Innush Ali has made a serious allegation that when he was returning home after taking the cows to the grazing area that morning, he encountered three persons — Lalmari Darlong, Sangi Darlong and Lal N Kwala Darlong — on the road. He claimed that all three were carrying plastic bags and alleged that the bags he later found near the dead cattle appeared to be the same.
Following the incident, Innush Ali reportedly approached the chairman of a neighbouring Darlong village and explained the matter. The chairman allegedly assured him that justice would be delivered and that compensation could also be arranged if necessary. However, according to the farmer, he was initially advised not to inform the police or the media.
A village meeting was subsequently held, but no concrete action was taken. The chairman then allegedly told Innush Ali to take whatever steps he could.
The farmer subsequently submitted a written complaint at Kailashahar police station against the three persons. However, he alleged that police neither registered the case nor visited the alleged site of the incident.
Innush Ali also claimed that he repeatedly requested the police to arrange post-mortem examinations of the dead cows. According to him, police directed him to approach the veterinary hospital himself. When he went to the veterinary hospital, the doctors allegedly told him that they could not conduct the post-mortem without a police request or written order.
The farmer said he returned to the police station and informed the authorities about the veterinary doctors’ response. He alleged that police then told him that the doctors would conduct the post-mortem if they were paid money.
Nearly a week has reportedly passed since the incident, but Innush Ali claims that his complaint has still not been registered and that police have not visited the site.
Meanwhile, the three carcasses have allegedly remained at the spot for about a week, resulting in a strong foul smell in the surrounding area. Residents of neighbouring villages have reportedly been facing difficulties due to the stench.
The alleged police inaction has reportedly triggered anger among residents of Bagacherra village, with locals demanding an investigation into the incident and appropriate action.
There are also allegations that political influence may have contributed to the alleged police inaction. However, these allegations could not be independently verified.