Cattle Theft Suspicion Sparks Tension in Assam’s Dibrugarh, Police Fire Warning Shots

Tension gripped parts of Assam’s Dibrugarh district on Thursday after a suspected cattle theft incident led to a confrontation between local residents and the police, forcing security personnel to fire warning shots in the air to control the situation.
The incident occurred in the Maijan area, where villagers, who had reportedly been on night vigil following a spate of cattle and goat thefts in recent days, detained three individuals they suspected of being involved in cattle theft. The suspects were allegedly intercepted along with a vehicle, triggering heightened emotions among locals.
Upon receiving information, police teams rushed to the spot and attempted to take the three men into custody for questioning. However, the situation escalated when a section of villagers resisted police action, demanding immediate punishment for the suspected thieves and accusing the police of inaction in earlier theft cases.
As the crowd swelled and tensions mounted, police fired warning shots into the air to disperse the mob and prevent the situation from spiralling out of control. Officials confirmed that no one was injured in the incident.
According to police sources, preliminary verification of the detained individuals suggested that they possessed valid identification documents, and initial checks indicated that they might not be directly involved in cattle theft. The suspects were later taken to the police station for further questioning as part of the investigation.
Senior police officials said the situation has since been brought under control, with additional security deployed in the area as a precautionary measure. Authorities have urged residents to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and to report suspected criminal activities to the police for proper legal action.
The incident highlights growing concerns among rural communities in Upper Assam over livestock theft and the resulting rise in local vigilante patrols, which have occasionally led to law-and-order challenges. Police have assured residents that steps are being taken to address cattle theft cases and to strengthen night patrolling in vulnerable areas.