Milk farmers in Odisha, under the Mukhyamantri Kamadhenu Yojana, faced a brutal attack by a mob of around 50 cow vigilantes while transporting 19 cows and calves from Andhra Pradesh on August 28. Despite carrying official documentation and banners from the state dairy scheme, the farmers were assaulted near Baramunda, Bhubaneswar. Vigilantes damaged three mini-trucks, beat four farmers, and terrified a pregnant cow that delivered a stillborn calf. Shockingly, police presence did little to stop the violence—vigilantes even manhandled officers and looted ₹70,000 from the victims. The Odisha Milk Farmers’ Association (OMFA) has demanded compensation, better security measures, and called for a high-level government intervention. While law enforcement arrested three individuals so far, OMFA warned of statewide protests if action is not taken swiftly and decisively.
Industry Insight
This egregious assault isn’t just an isolated tragedy—it underscores broader systemic risks to the dairy supply chain and the state’s development plans. The Mukhyamantri Kamadhenu Yojana aims to boost milk production through cattle procurement and transport, but such violent interruptions can threaten farmer confidence and derail progress. The government must act swiftly and visibly—not only by arresting perpetrators and offering financial and emotional redress, but also by putting in place secure, monitored transport corridors for livestock under government schemes. Effective implementation, backed by safeguards, will reassure dairy communities and protect the integrity of Odisha’s dairy development goals.
Source : Dairynews7x7 Sep 2nd 2025 TOI