Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday issued a shoot-at-sight order to curb communal tension in Dhubri after the town remained on edge since the severed head of a cow was found in front of a Hanuman temple on June 8, a day after Eid al-Adha.
“A communal group is active in Dhubri to disturb peace. I have issued shoot-at-sight orders at night. If someone throws stones and police have doubts about their actions, they will shoot,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
On Saturday, Sarma said 38 more persons were arrested overnight in connection with communal tensions. The arrests were in addition to the 22 persons the police had confirmed to have held on Friday.
Visiting Dhubri, he said,” If required on the coming Eid, I myself will guard Hanuman Baba’s temple all night long,” declaring the situation “unacceptable”
“The general public, Hindu or Muslim, is innocent,” he said, adding,” some disruptive elements are poisoning the atmosphere,” stating the government will not tolerate this.”
“Things were different in the past, not anymore,” he said, emphasising, “Mark my words: If any disruptive elements are found tonight, they will be shot on sight.”
Earlier on Monday, he alleged that “some people are trying to weaponise cattle” by repeatedly placing cattle meat in certain areas to force Hindu residents to leave,
The situation in Dhubri, Assam, has escalated due to the alleged discovery of meat near a temple, leading to communal tensions.
On Sunday, alleged cow meat was discovered near the Hanuman temple at Balurchar area of Dhubri town, while on Monday, the situation deteriorated further, with riot-like scenes reported in several areas as alleged cow skin and meat were discovered at Chatianatala and Baluchar area again.
Mob attacks on roadside vendors and e-rickshaw drivers at two places, and protests were held on Monday.
Dhubri District Commissioner Dibakar Nath on Monday invoked Section 163(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and issued prohibitory orders with immediate effect, citing potential threats to peace and public tranquillity and aiming to prevent any escalation of violence following the alleged recovery of cow meat at multiple locations.
The situation was brought under control by Tuesday and the prohibitory orders were withdrawn.
