Guwahati, June 13: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced a shoot-at-sight directive for law enforcement in Dhubri district, aimed at preventing any attempts to disrupt communal peace in the area. The strong warning comes in the wake of rising tensions following a series of provocative incidents.

During a visit to Dhubri on Friday, the Chief Minister addressed the media, stating, “The police have been directed to take the strictest possible action, including shoot-at-sight orders at night if required, against anyone attempting to incite communal unrest.”

Tensions escalated after severed cow heads were found near a Hanuman temple on consecutive days following Bakra Eid, sparking community outrage and confrontations. Despite initial peace efforts through committee discussions, the situation deteriorated further due to stone-pelting incidents and inflammatory posters suggesting Dhubri be annexed to Bangladesh.

Sarma alleged the involvement of an organized communal group, stating, “A new beef mafia has also surfaced, acquiring large numbers of cattle before Eid. An investigation is underway, and the culprits will face strict legal action.”

To restore order, the government is deploying the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and CRPF to the region. The Chief Minister assured that all pending criminal cases in Dhubri will be expedited and prosecuted.

He also attributed some of the unrest to recent political developments in both Assam and Bangladesh, claiming that certain factions have become more active both online and offline in creating communal disturbances.

“We have a zero-tolerance policy against any attempt to disrupt peace,” Sarma reiterated. “Our priority is to uphold the law and maintain communal harmony at all costs.”