Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has issued shoot-at-sight orders against what he termed “miscreants” in Dhubri, a district bordering Bangladesh in western Assam.
The directive specifically targets those who engage in stone-pelting incidents, particularly at night.
The directive comes in the wake of recent communal tensions after animal remains were discovered near a Hanuman temple in Dhubri last Sunday, sparking public outrage and clashes between locals and the police. As of Friday, authorities had arrested at least 22 individuals in connection with the unrest.
Visiting Dhubri on Friday to assess the situation firsthand, the Chief Minister later told reporters that he would officially issue shoot-at-sight orders upon his return to Guwahati.
Sarma also alleged a broader conspiracy behind the disturbances. He claimed that a “foreign nexus” was attempting to destabilize Dhubri, suggesting that a group called ‘Nobin Bangla’ had put up posters advocating for Dhubri’s inclusion into Bangladesh, just a day before Eid.
He further alleged that organized networks from not only Bangladesh but also West Bengal were active in Assam, smuggling large numbers of cattle into the state ahead of the Eid festival.
The Chief Minister accused what he called a “cattle mafia” of accumulating thousands of cattle in preparation for the celebrations and ordered a crackdown on these alleged groups.
Sarma said that additional security forces, including the Rapid Action Force and paramilitary units, had been deployed in the district. He also instructed the arrest of individuals with outstanding non-bailable warrants.
The Chief Minister, known for his hardline Hindutva stance, announced plans to visit Dhubri again next year during Eid to personally oversee the situation. “We cannot allow a section of the community to create such disorder,” he said.
As the Assam state assembly elections approach in the next 9 to 10 months, political observers believe the issue could become a key point of contention.
Some opposition leaders have accused the ruling BJP of deliberately pursuing religious polarization as part of their election strategy, a campaign they allege began nearly a year ago.
