In response to heightened communal sensitivities following Eid celebrations, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has issued stringent directives to all district administrations for the rigorous enforcement of the Assam Cattle Preservation Act.
The Chief Minister’s order follows multiple incidents where beef was reportedly found near Hindu localities and places of worship, particularly in Dhubri district, leading to increased tensions across several areas. While emphasizing the importance of respecting religious freedom, Sarma underscored that legal boundaries, especially in demographically sensitive zones, must be upheld.
“These incidents have occurred close to temples, namghars, and Hindu-majority areas where beef consumption or slaughter is prohibited within a five-kilometer radius, as per the Assam Cattle Preservation Act,” Sarma stated.
Holding district administrations accountable for the recent flare-ups, Sarma criticized the lack of timely intervention despite clear legal provisions. “Had the law been enforced adequately, these situations could have been avoided. We are now directing all districts to implement the Act strictly and without exception,” he added.
To preempt further communal unrest, the state government is currently developing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for district officials. This SOP will guide the management of cattle slaughter regulations in mixed-population areas, aiming to ensure that religious sacrifices do not escalate into communal conflict. Sarma also indicated that the most stringent provisions of the law would be invoked going forward.
Reiterating the state’s firm stance, Sarma affirmed that the ban on cow slaughter within a five-kilometer radius of temples and Hindu settlements would be rigorously enforced. He also announced a statewide survey of VGR (Village Grazing Reserve) and PGR (Professional Grazing Reserve) lands amidst reports of encroachments in tribal belts. “In districts like Lakhimpur, we’ve found illegal occupation of sensitive lands, including tribal areas and grazing reserves. We have directed the respective deputy commissioners to identify and act against such encroachments,” Sarma said.
The Chief Minister concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy on cattle slaughter violations near religious areas, warning that administrative accountability would be enforced in cases of negligence. The recent incidents involving beef found near Hindu religious sites have sparked public outrage and heightened communal tension in parts of Assam, prompting the state to strengthen its enforcement measures.