Shoot-at-sight order at Assam border amid communal unrest
GUWAHATI: The Assam government on Friday issued a shoot-at-sight order in the India-Bangladesh border town of Dhubri after dusk to rein in what CM
Himanta Biswa Sarma
described as "a communal group" fomenting trouble over the past week.
The immediate trigger for the directive to enforcement agencies, including Rapid Action Force and CRPF reinforcements, was a purported poster campaign by the group for "Dhubri's integration with Bangladesh".
The town has been on the edge for several days following mob violence over offal being found near a place of worship.
CM, who was in Dhubri district to take stock, said police found at least three provocative posters put up by a group identified as Nabin Bangla at different locations there.
"Since the last one week, maintaining law and order in Dhubri has been challenging. A communal group is trying to create disturbances, which the government won't tolerate," Sarma said.
He later wrote on X, "I directed law enforcement officers to follow (a policy of) zero tolerance against elements who desecrate places of worship...In Dhubri, a particular group has become active with the intent to damage our temples.
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We have issued SHOOT AT SIGHT orders."
Communal tension gripped Dhubri on June 7, a day after Eid, prompting community leaders on either side to appeal for peace. The next day, offal was allegedly dumped at another location, leading to stone-pelting at night, Sarma said.
CM said a large herd of cattle illegally brought to Dhubri from Bengal by a "new beef mafia" was another reason for the disturbances. "I have ordered an inquiry into this.
I have directed the authorities to arrest whoever has started this cattle trade."
Sarma declared that he would camp in Dhubri for two days on Eid next year to ensure something like this didn't recur. "We are fully committed to ensure enforcement of law and order in the district and defeat all communal forces," he said.
CM alleged last week that beef had been "weaponised" in the state.
Dhubri has the highest Muslim population among all districts of Assam, constituting 90% of the demography. Suspicions about a large section of them being of Bangladeshi origin make the issue a socio-political hot potato.
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