Mangaluru: If cattle vigilantism is a problem in the region, cattle theft too is a cause of grief for many ,who make a living from selling cow milk.
Several cases of cattle being grabbed from sheds of houses belonging to Hindus, Christians and Jains have been reported from near Surathkal and Belthangady, according to locals.
Recently a woman, who made a living from selling cow milk, was allegedly robbed of her cattle in Belthangady taluk in broad daylight.
“A group of men came in a vehicle and took the four cattle from the house as she watched helplessly. The leg of a calf was cut as it was taken from the shed,” said locals, claiming that although the police was aware of these theft cases in the district and Udupi, it did nothing.
“People in rural areas are scared now and are angry with the police for not taking any action. This anger is slowly turning into support for the saffron outfits, which pose as the protectors of cattle, ” said others.
While the police agreed that many cases of cattle theft went unregistered, it blamed the people for it.
