Tinsukia: At least 20 cows have died under suspicious circumstances over the past two days at the Tinsukia Gaushala in Jyoti Nagar, while several others remain critically ill, prompting the management to seek a high-level investigation into the incident.
A team of veterinary doctors from the Animal Husbandry Department has been deployed at the Gaushala and is continuing intensive treatment to save the affected animals. The sick cows are under constant observation, with veterinarians administering medicines and monitoring their condition to prevent further casualties.
The Gaushala, which houses more than 300 cows, said the animals were fed their regular diet after two e-rickshaws collected leftover food and fodder from markets and households across Tinsukia as part of the shelter’s daily feeding programme.
According to Gaushala staff, the feed included puffed rice (murmura/moodi) collected from the Tinsukia Siding Market. Soon after consuming the food, a large number of cows reportedly fell ill.
The two e-rickshaws are operated by the Gau Sevak Parivar, whose volunteers collect food donations from residents across the town every day for the Gaushala. While the shelter is managed by the Tinsukia Gaushala Committee, members of the Gau Sevak Parivar also visit every Sunday to carry out voluntary service for the animals.
Gaushala authorities suspect that the puffed rice may have been contaminated after being exposed to rainwater, resulting in the sudden illness and deaths. However, they emphasised that the exact cause has not yet been established.
Based on a preliminary assessment, veterinary experts suspect food poisoning as the likely cause of the deaths. However, they have not ruled out other possibilities, including deliberate contamination, and said the precise cause can only be determined after a detailed veterinary examination and investigation.
The Gaushala management has demanded a fair and high-level inquiry to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify any lapses or foul play, if any.
The incident has triggered concern among local residents and animal welfare activists, who are now awaiting the findings of the official investigation.