Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said that he has issued shoot-at-sight orders to law enforcement officials after a communal group became active in the state’s Dhubri area. He alleged that the communal group intends to cause damage to Hindu temples.
This move came after his visit to Dhubri following the incident where cow meat was thrown at the Human Mandir on Eid.
During his visit, he ordered officials to follow “zero tolerance” against elements who desecrated temples, Naamghars and sacred places. He asserted that people behind the incident will not be spared.
“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,” Sarma wrote in a post on X.
In another post, the chief minister said that, if needed, he would guard the Hanuman Baba temple all night long.
“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,” the post read.
Sarma added that an investigation is underway, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
“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.