Residents of Ward No. 6 in Jagannath Rural Municipality, Bajura, are under police scrutiny for allegedly beating a cow and attempting to throw it into the Karnali River. The District Administration Office has instructed law enforcement to summon the individuals involved, including the ward chairperson, to the district headquarters.
A video circulating on social media shows a group of people, who had attended a funeral, attacking the cow and trying to push it into the river. Ward Chairperson Dhan Bahadur Sarki stated that it is a local tradition to donate a cow (Gaudaan) when someone dies, and the donated cow is driven across the Karnali River as part of the ritual.
The incident came under official scrutiny after The Ritible reported on it, prompting the District Administration Office and police to take action.
Chief District Officer (CDO) Meghanath Padhya confirmed that law enforcement had been deployed to bring in those involved.
“The police have been directed to summon those responsible for attempting to beat and drive the cow across the Karnali River,” Padhya told The Ritible. “The individuals have stated they will come after completing the funeral rites.”
He added that further decisions would be made after hearing statements from the locals.
According to CDO Padhya, although the cow was assaulted and an attempt was made to push it into the river, it managed to return to the village and is now safe.
“The cow has returned and is currently secure,” he said. “Since the cow is Nepal’s national animal, such acts of violence are unacceptable.”
