Assam CM Himanta Biswa orders shot at sight order amid rising protests in Dhubri

New Delhi (India) June 14: On Friday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that he had given law enforcement officers shoot-at-sight instructions following the appearance of a separatist group in the Dhubri region of the state. He claimed that the communal organisation plans to harm Hindu temples.

He made this decision after visiting Dhubri in the wake of the Eid tragedy in which cow meat was thrown at the Hindu Mandir. He instructed officials to enforce "zero tolerance" against those who insulted temples, Naamghars, and other holy sites. He declared that anyone responsible for the tragedy would not escape punishment.

The CM posted, "I visited Dhubri and directed law enforcement officers to follow ZERO tolerance against elements who desecrate our temples, Naamghars and sacred spaces. The incident of throwing beef at the town's Hanuman Mandir should have NEVER happened, and those involved WON'T BE SPARED" on social media platform X.

He also added, "This time on Eid, some anti-social elements committed a disgusting and condemnable crime by throwing cow meat in the Hanuman temple of Dhubri! If required on the coming Eid, I myself will guard Hanuman Baba's temple all night long" in another post.

The discovery of meat pieces close to a temple in Dhubri town on Sunday caused demonstrations and worsened the area's law and order situation. On Monday, public movement was restricted and tear gas rounds were thrown to disperse the protesters.

The Chief Minister further said that the area has seen the arrival of a new "beef mafia." He said some individuals used to eat beef during Bakrid but it has been reported that hundreds of animals were imported from West Bengal this year. 

According to Sarma, a new network for cattle trafficking appears to have emerged right before the celebration. He stated that he had directed authorities to arrest those responsible for starting this illegal activity and ordered an investigation into the situation.

In an overnight operation following the "beef head" incident, the police have taken 38 persons into custody.

After visiting Dhubri to evaluate the law-and-order situation there, Mr. Sarma told reporters that the issue was settled when leaders from both communities met, but the head of another cow was put there the very next day, increasing tension.

He added that this action was deliberately done to make Dhubri a part of Bangladesh. He stated secessionist posters calling for a war to make Dhubri a part of Bangladesh were posted around the area, including one on an Army Signals centre and were assigned to an organisation called "Nabin Bangla.”

The chief minister also ordered that all known offenders be arrested right away since the area has long been the focus of fundamentalist groups in Bangladesh. He said that to maintain peace and order, central security forces have been deployed in the communally sensitive areas.

Aadrika Tayal