Assam Police arrested Chan Mia, who was allegedly a key handler of a cattle theft network operating across lower Assam, nearly two months after he allegedly evaded arrest in an earlier cattle theft case.
Police said a team from Alopati Char Police Station arrested Mia in Barpeta town based on specific information.
The arrest followed the recovery of 11 cattle allegedly transported by boat to Bhatnapaiti on Saturday. Local residents noticed the movement and alerted the village defence party, which informed Alopati Char police.
Officer-in-charge Bidyut Thakuria and his team reached the area, recovered the cattle and brought them to the police station.
According to the field report, the latest incident was linked to an earlier case involving the alleged theft of 11 cattle from Hatimura in Guwahati. The cattle were reportedly transported through a river route and were allegedly intended for delivery to Mia.
Local residents caught the alleged thieves at the time, while Mia reportedly escaped arrest.
Police suspect that Mia may also have been involved in earlier cases involving the movement of stolen cattle. In one such case, two stolen buffaloes were allegedly brought to the area. Residents reportedly became suspicious after one was sacrificed during Eid al-Adha. The second buffalo was later returned to its owner, according to the field report.
Residents said Mia had been staying in Barpeta town while evading arrest. Police traced him following a tip-off and took him into custody.
Residents have also alleged the involvement of another person, identified as Azizul Haque, in the alleged cattle smuggling network. They claimed cattle stolen from different parts of lower Assam were handed over to Mia and Haque for further sale.
Police are expected to question Mia as part of the investigation into the alleged network and its links to the theft and transportation of cattle across lower Assam.
Local residents have urged Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the Barpeta Senior Superintendent of Police to take strict action against those allegedly involved in the cattle theft network.
