Assam: Fury in Charaimari Village as IRBN Jawan Accused of Goat Theft

GUWAHATI: There has been a wave of fury and outrage in Charaimari village in Assam's Baksa district, after allegations were made against an Indian Reserve Battalion (IRBN) member of the 24th Battalion.

Bijoy Kalita, the individual in the middle of the controversy, has been accused of regularly stealing cattle and intimidating villagers whenever he visited his home village, Amarawati.

Kalita has built a dreaded image in the community, according to several residents. Villagers explain that his homecoming from the service is frequently accompanied by such acts of theft—goats being among them—that end up disappearing mysteriously while he's in residence. His presence, they say, is now synonymous with fear and loss for the people of Charaimari and the communities around.

The situation escalated on March 31st when Kalita allegedly stole a pet goat belonging to Kanika Haloi, a resident. The animal was later discovered at the residence of one of Kalita’s relatives in Garamdeu, following a formal complaint lodged by Haloi.

The Mushalpur Police assisted in recovering the stolen goat, providing a brief moment of relief to the victim. However, this incident only deepened the community's suspicions and intensified their demand for justice.

Despite the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) with the Mushalpur Police Station, no effective action has been taken against Kalita by the authorities. The delay in arresting the accused has sparked widespread disappointment, with villagers citing his uniform as a member of the security forces as one possible explanation for the lack of urgency. According to them, his uniform must not be an immunity from the law.

Residents also claim that this is only a sample case in a string of thefts attributed to Kalita, implying an ongoing pattern of crime. It is claimed that he not only kills the goats that have been stolen but also makes money selling them. These claims lead to a grim picture of exploitation, where power is abused to evade scrutiny and accountability.

As a response to what they term a serious miscarriage of justice, Amarawati and Charaimari villagers are coming together in protest. They want Bijoy Kalita to be arrested immediately, a thorough investigation into his conduct, and a review of any other persons who might have abetted him.

Above all, they are demanding an end to what they perceive to be special treatment of a "criminal in uniform," appealing to the authorities to see that justice is served without fear or favor.

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