GUWAHATI, Jan 20: One person was killed and four others seriously injured after a mob attacked them on suspicion of cattle theft in Assam’s Kokrajhar district, police said on Tuesday.
The incident occurred late on Monday night when the victims, workers associated with a local road construction project, were returning from a site inspection in the Aoudang area. Police said that as their vehicle reached the Gouri Nagar–Mashing Road stretch, a group of villagers stopped it, suspecting the occupants of stealing cattle.
During the confrontation, the vehicle reportedly skidded off the road amid the chaos. The mob then allegedly assaulted the occupants and set the vehicle on fire, resulting in severe burn injuries to those inside.
One of the victims, identified as Sikhna Jwhwlao Bismit, also known as Raja, who was the son-in-law of contractor Moranda Basumatary, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital, police said.
The injured—Prabhat Brahma, Jubiraj Brahma, Sunil Murmu and Mahesh Murmu—were rushed to Kokrajhar Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Hospital authorities said Prabhat Brahma’s condition remains critical, while the others are undergoing medical care.
Police, along with fire and emergency services, rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. Several people have been detained for questioning in connection with the incident, and a detailed investigation has been launched, police added.
