Kolkata: The body of a 52-year-old man, identified as Montu Mia, was recovered under a bridge over the Khutamara River in Sitalkuchi, Cooch Behar district, on Sunday morning, July 5. The deceased’s family and local political leaders have alleged that Mia, a cattle herder worker, was intercepted and brutally beaten to death by a group of alleged cow vigilantes on Saturday evening, July 4. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation, though no arrests had been reported at the time of the family’s allegations.
The deceased was a resident of Nagar Shingimari under the Golenawhati Gram Panchayat in the Sitalkuchi block of Cooch Behar district. His body was recovered on Sunday morning from a bridge over the Khutamara River, nearly a day after he had reportedly left a local cattle market to deliver a cow to its buyer. According to local residents, Montu Mia worked as a cattle handler, locally known as a rakhal, earning a modest livelihood by escorting cattle purchased at local markets to buyers’ homes.
According to local sources, cattle trading in several markets under the Sitalkuchi police station area had reportedly remained suspended for nearly two months following the recent Assembly elections. Saturday marked the reopening of the cattle market at Gosai’s Market, attracting buyers and traders from surrounding villages. A local man, identified as Yakub Mia of Pathantuli village, purchased a cow from the market and requested Montu Mia to deliver the animal to his residence. Witnesses stated that Montu set out on foot with the cow on Saturday evening. According to family members, Montu never returned home.
His relatives searched throughout the night but were unable to trace him. The following morning, local fishermen reportedly spotted a body beneath the Khutamara River bridge. Police were informed, and the deceased was later identified as Montu Mia. The cow he had been transporting was also reportedly found near the scene and was subsequently identified by its owner.
According to Ganashakti report, The victim’s family has alleged that Montu Mia was brutally assaulted before his death. His body bore multiple visible injuries, including broken teeth and wounds across different parts of his body. They further alleged that acid had been poured on parts of his face and body before the body was discarded in the river. Montu Mia’s father-in-law, Tariq Mia, alleged that his son-in-law had been targeted by self-styled cow vigilantes. “They killed him, poured acid on his face and body, and threw him into the river. We demand a thorough investigation and exemplary punishment for those responsible,” he alleged.
The victim’s wife, Aseda Khatun, recalled her husband’s final conversation before he left home. “He told us he would return home that night and have dinner with our seven-year-old daughter. When he did not return, our entire family went out searching for him. My daughter and I spent the whole night looking for him. I never imagined that we would find his body so far from home,” she said.
The death has left the family devastated, with neighbours describing Montu Mia as a quiet and hardworking man who supported his family through daily wage work associated with cattle trading.
The incident has also generated fear among residents of Nagar Shingimari and neighbouring villages. A local resident Samaser Ali said that the injuries found on the victim’s body suggested that he had been subjected to severe violence. “The injuries indicate that several people may have assaulted him. Whoever committed this crime must be identified and punished in accordance with the law,” he said. Several residents expressed concern over safety in the area and called upon the administration to conduct a transparent investigation.
A written complaint was lodged with Sitalkuchi Police Station on Sunday. According to police sources, a criminal case has been registered in connection with the incident. Officials confirmed that the case has been recorded as Case No. 35/26 and that an investigation is underway. However, according to the victim’s family, no arrests had been made by Monday, nearly 24 hours after the complaint was filed.
The incident has also taken on political significance after leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) alleged that Montu Mia was an active party worker. Senior CPI(M) leaders, including Cooch Behar district secretariat members Moksedul Islam, Prosenjit Sarkar, Narayan Chandra Barman, and Rakhal Chandra Sarkar, visited the bereaved family and assured them of legal assistance.
On the other hand, Political tensions escalated further on Tuesday when a CPI(M) delegation led by Central Committee member Minakshi Mukherjee, along with State Committee members Alkesh Das and Anant Roy, and district leaders Amit Dutt, Moksedul Alam, and Prosenjit Sarkar, travelled to Sitalkuchi to meet the victim’s family. According to CPI(M) leaders, their convoy was allegedly stopped by BJP supporters before reaching the village. The party claimed that eggs were thrown at their vehicle and that protesters surrounded the delegation.
Addressing the media, Minakshi Mukherjee alleged that the attack took place in the presence of police personnel. “We were going to meet the family of one of our party workers who was killed. Our vehicle was attacked in front of the police, yet no action was taken to stop those responsible. We will file a formal complaint against the officer-in-charge and demand immediate action,” she stated. Minakshi also questioned the prevailing law-and-order situation in the state, alleging that opposition leaders were being prevented from meeting victims’ families. Police have not officially commented on the allegations surrounding the attack on the CPI(M) delegation.
