Shoot-at-sight orders issued in Assam’s Dhubri following communal tensions

Authorities in Assam's Dhubri district have issued shoot-at-sight orders in response to escalating communal tensions triggered by the discovery of meat near a temple.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision on Tuesday, stating that the government will take a firm stance against any attempts to disturb peace in the region.

Prohibitory measures were initially enforced on Monday to quell unrest after the incident, but those restrictions were lifted by Tuesday. To ensure law and order, the state is deploying personnel from the Rapid Action Force and Central Reserve Police Force.

"Anybody coming out at night or throwing stones will be arrested. All those who have taken law into their hands will be dealt with severely," the Chief Minister warned.

According to Sarma, the tensions began after a cow’s head was found outside a Hanuman temple on June 7, the day after Bakrid. Although local peace committees made up of both Hindu and Muslim members appealed for calm, a second similar incident occurred the next day, followed by stone-pelting at night.

Sarma also accused a Bangladesh-linked group named Nobin Bangla of attempting to incite discord in the area. “These posters indicate that a communal force backed by Bangladesh is active in Dhubri and they are working to destabilise the district,” he said, referring to provocative materials demanding Dhubri’s inclusion in Bangladesh.

In addition, the Chief Minister pointed to the emergence of what he described as a “new beef mafia” operating in the district. “This has come to my knowledge and I have ordered an inquiry into this. I have directed the authorities to arrest who has started this cattle trade,” he stated.

As a symbolic gesture of commitment to maintaining peace, Sarma pledged, “I will stay in Dhubri on the day of Eid next year and guard the Hanuman temple through the night, if required.”