Municipality Focused On Collecting Fines, Cattle Allegedly Left Without Food And Water In Pound; 50–60 Cows Detained, Owners Express Anger.

Dharmanagar, Tripura, 10th of August, 2026 : Following longstanding complaints about cattle roaming freely on the roads of Dharmanagar town, the Dharmanagar Municipal Council has launched an initiative to detain stray cattle. Municipal workers have been picking up cattle from different parts of the town and taking them to a designated cattle pound. The actual owners are subsequently collecting their cattle after paying the prescribed fines to the municipality.

However, amid this process, a section of cattle owners has raised serious allegations regarding the care and treatment of the detained animals at the municipal pound.According to the owners, adequate food has not been provided to the cattle after they were detained by the municipality. They have also alleged that there is insufficient drinking water at the pound. As a result, the cattle are allegedly becoming increasingly weak after remaining without adequate food and water for extended periods.The cattle owners further claimed that around 50 to 60 cows have been kept together in a single enclosure. They alleged that the lack of adequate space, food and drinking water has further increased the suffering of the animals.

The owners also argued that while the municipality is collecting the prescribed fine for releasing the detained cattle, it should also take responsibility for providing food, water and necessary care for the animals throughout the period they remain in municipal custody. However, they alleged that this responsibility is not being properly fulfilled in practice.On the other hand, there has been longstanding public dissatisfaction over cattle roaming freely on the roads of Dharmanagar. The presence of cattle on busy roads often creates traffic problems and increases the risk of accidents. The municipal initiative has reportedly been taken in response to these complaints.

However, cattle owners have demanded that along with detaining the animals and collecting fines, the municipality must also ensure their welfare and provide a safe environment. They have called for adequate food, clean drinking water, sufficient space and proper care at the cattle pound.The issue has once again raised questions over the role of the Dharmanagar Municipal Council, particularly regarding the welfare of animals kept in its custody.