HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, June 13: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday issued a stern warning amid escalating communal tensions in Dhubri district, authorising police to exercise a “shoot at sight” order if necessary to maintain peace and harmony in the region.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to the sensitive border district, Sarma said, “I have instructed the police to take the strictest possible action against anyone attempting to disrupt communal harmony in Dhubri. If the situation demands, shoot-at-sight orders will be enforced at night to deter miscreants and restore peace.”
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Detailing the recent disturbances, the Chief Minister said the law-and-order situation in Dhubri has been deteriorating since Bakri Eid.
“The day after the festival, a severed cow head was found in front of a Hanuman temple. Although members of both communities met and the peace committee intervened, a similar act was repeated the next day, followed by stone-pelting incidents,” he said.
Sarma further revealed that inflammatory posters calling for Dhubri’s inclusion in Bangladesh were found pasted in the district, pointing to the involvement of a “communal group” working to incite unrest.
“We are adopting a zero-tolerance policy against such divisive elements,” he asserted.
In response to the volatile situation, Sarma announced the deployment of additional central forces, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), to bolster local law enforcement.
He added that all pending criminal cases in the district will be expedited, and stringent action will be taken against offenders.
Commenting on emerging trends, the Chief Minister warned of a “new beef mafia” operating in the area.
“Thousands of cattle were procured ahead of Eid, and investigations are underway. The perpetrators will be brought to justice,” he said.
Sarma also hinted at geopolitical influences behind the unrest, citing recent political developments in Assam and Bangladesh.
“A particular section has become hyperactive both online and on the ground, orchestrating deliberate provocations—like the act of throwing beef inside a temple—to create a negative atmosphere,” he alleged.
The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to upholding law and order in Dhubri and thwarting any attempts to destabilise communal harmony in the state.
