A series of illegal cattle slaughter incidents during Eid-ul-Zuha has triggered widespread outrage and tensions across Assam. It leads to the arrest of 16 individuals from multiple districts. The state government has responded firmly, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma issuing a strong warning against any attempt to violate the law under the guise of religious freedom.
Disturbing Incidents Reported Across Assam
According to official sources, cases of cow slaughter and illegal disposal of cattle parts were reported from at least five district, including:
- Cotton University area (Kamrup Metro)
- Dhubri
- Hojai
- Sribhumi (Bagargool)
- Cachar districts
Authorities recovered cow meat and remains in public places. This sparks protests from local communities and student bodies, especially near educational institutions like Cotton University in Guwahati.
Assam ‘s Hojai protest erupted for Illegal Cow Slaughter
Tensions flared in Hojai on Sunday after members of both the Hindu and Muslim communities staged separate protests in response to the discovery of suspected cattle meat. The situation briefly turned volatile, with road blockades and a clash with police reported.
According to police sources, Hindus blocked roads in the Barpukhuri area, where suspected cattle meat pieces were found in three separate locations on Saturday. In response, Muslims gathered at Bhuyanpatty and also blocked a road, reportedly as a counter-protest.
While protests remained largely peaceful, a section of the crowd at Bhuyanpatty allegedly clashed with police personnel. Authorities confirmed that a “mild lathi-charge” was carried out to disperse the mob and prevent further escalation.
“The situation is now under control. We have deployed additional paramilitary forces and are monitoring developments closely,” a senior police officer said.
As of Sunday evening, the road blockade in Barpukhuri was still ongoing, with administrative officials engaged in discussions with the protestors to resolve the issue.
Arrests and Crackdown
As part of the ongoing investigation, police confirmed:
5 cases of cattle parts found – including near Cotton University (Kamrup M), Dhubri, Hojai, and Sribhumi (Bagargool).
- 5 illegal slaughter sites were identified:
- 3 in Cachar (Gumrah, Silchar, Lakhipur)
- 2 in Karimganj (Badarpur and Banga)
- A total of 16 arrests were made:
- 9 individuals from Cachar
- 7 from Sribhumi, a locality near Guwahati
Assam Government’s Firm Stand on Law and Order
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma strongly condemned the incidents, reaffirming the government’s commitment to communal harmony, but with zero tolerance for unlawful acts.
“Our Constitution ensures freedom of religion, but it also mandates respect for law and public order. Strict action will be taken against all violators, regardless of their faith or background,” CM Sarma posted on X (formerly Twitter).
He further added that violations of the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021 will not be tolerated. The law prohibits the sale, transport, or slaughter of cattle within a 5-kilometre radius of areas inhabited by Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities.
