Stray cattle menace continues in Rewari despite crackdown

Despite ongoing efforts by the Municipal Council to rid Rewari’s streets of stray cattle, the problem persists, posing serious risks to commuters and residents alike. Although a private agency has been hired to capture the animals and relocate them to cow shelters (gaushalas), locals say the menace has shown little sign of abating.

The situation turned alarming in Qutubpur village recently, where stray cattle reportedly attacked residents, leaving several injured. A viral video circulating on social media shows a cow charging at a villager, triggering public outrage and renewed calls for urgent government intervention.

“Every day, we see herds of cattle blocking roads, putting pedestrians and two-wheeler riders at serious risk,” said Parveen, a local social activist.

Shopkeepers and daily commuters echoed similar concerns. “These animals often stand in the middle of busy roads or chase people in marketplaces. Just last week, a bull created panic in the Sector 4 market,” said Ramesh, a shopkeeper. “The elderly are especially scared to step out.”

In response to public complaints, District Municipal Commissioner (DMC) Rahul Modi has taken a stricter stance. He blamed the ongoing problem partly on irresponsible cattle owners who abandon their animals after milking them. “Leaving cattle to roam freely is a punishable offence,” he warned. “We will register FIRs and impose fines on anyone found doing so.”

The DMC emphasised that stray cattle are not just a nuisance but a growing safety hazard, contributing to an increase in road accidents. In one recent incident, a municipal team from Royal Enterprises — the agency assigned to handle stray cattle — was allegedly assaulted by a resident while capturing a cow on Sector 4 Market Road. The accused has been booked by police.

So far, over 250 stray cattle have been captured and shifted to gaushalas in the last month alone, according to the DMC.