In a horrific incident, Cattle smugglers have killed a 50-year-old man in Chaulkhowa in eastern Assam’s Dibrugarh district.
Salim Ali was a cattle trader who was brutally murdered by Mintu Ali on September 21. According to police sources, an altercation broke out between a gang of cow smugglers and Salim Ali on Friday possible due to cattle related issues.
The gang members were Mintu Ali, Chintu Ali, Roushan Ali and Sonu Ali. During the scuffle, Mintu Ali slit Salim’s throat with a sharp weapon and the gang fled the scene after that in an SUV. Salim was immediately taken to Assam Medical College and Hospital but he was declared brought dead by the doctors.
According to locals, the gang is notorious for cattle smuggling and other illegal activities. They were caught transporting truckloads of cattle without valid documents in the past by police but due to some mysterious reasons, they were always let go.
People allege that the gang is smuggling cattle under the nose of local police and they have the support of some politicians.
The gang has a strong network of cattle thieves who brings stolen cows to them, who in turn sell them to the slaughterhouses. They also lift cows during the night, especially the stray cows that roam the streets.
After the murder, Dibrugarh police launched a massive manhunt for the killers. On September 23, police nabbed Mintu Ali, his wife Neha Begum, and another person Fazaluddin Ahmed.
After the murder, the gang had taken shelter in Ahmed’s house and kept their vehicle there. Police have also seized the Scorpio used during the murder and a Jazz belonging to Ahmed.
Meanwhile, Roushan Ali has surrendered before the police. Police are still searching for Chintu Ali and Sonu Ali.