Stray bull rampage leaves nine injured in Palampur village

Panic gripped Rakkar Bheri village, located about 15 km from Palampur, after a group of stray bulls went on a rampage in the lower areas on Friday, leaving nine people injured—four of them seriously.

According to eyewitnesses, the chaos began when a stray bull attacked an elderly man on his way home, leaving him badly injured. As villagers rushed to help, the same bull charged at others, injuring seven more, including a 72-year-old man. Fear-stricken pedestrians scattered in all directions, running for safety as the bulls continued to roam unchecked through the village.

Residents reported that the stray bulls were still active in the area hours after the incident, and no official from the administration had arrived to control the situation. Frustration and fear were palpable in the community, with villagers expressing anger over the lack of prompt response.

This tragic incident follows a deadly attack earlier in Patti Badehar village, where Sukri Devi, a local farmer, was gored to death by a stray bull while guarding her crops. According to fellow villagers, Sukri Devi had gone to her field early in the morning after noticing a bull damaging her crop. When she attempted to drive the animal away with a stick, it turned on her and launched a brutal attack. Despite other farmers rushing to her aid, the bull repeatedly struck her. Sukri Devi died on the spot.

These are not isolated cases. In the past year alone, five people have been killed by stray bulls in Palampur and nearby villages. Victims include Kesari Devi (80) from Rajpur, who was killed on her way to a shop; Uduo Ram, a daily wage worker, who died near the local court last year; and an elderly woman from Arla village, who was fatally attacked recently. Families of the deceased have raised repeated complaints with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate and the Municipal Commissioner, but to no avail.

The rising menace of stray cattle, particularly bulls, has now become a public safety crisis in Palampur. Local environmentalist and People’s Voice NGO convener KB Ralhan questioned the administration’s inaction, pointing out that the government has been collecting Rs 10 per liquor bottle as cow cess for cattle welfare. “Where has all that money gone?” he asked, demanding accountability and transparency.

Residents say the presence of stray cattle on roads and in fields has led to multiple accidents and injuries over the past few months. Despite the growing threat and repeated public outcry, the administration continues to turn a blind eye. Villagers are now calling for urgent intervention before more lives are lost.