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CM Sarma had first announced the orders during a visit to Dhubri on June 13, saying they were necessary to deter communal groups attempting to disturb peace
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that the night-time shoot-at-sight orders imposed in Dhubri since June 13 will remain in effect through the Durga Puja celebrations later this month.
Speaking to reporters in Kokrajhar, Sarma said the directive was initially issued after communal disturbances in the district and would continue as a precautionary measure.
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“The shoot-at-sight orders have not been withdrawn and will continue,” the chief minister said, stressing that safeguarding the Sanatan Dharma community, who are in the minority in Dhubri, from “fundamentalist forces” is the government’s priority.
He clarified that the district is currently calm with no fresh incidents of violence, but warned, “Anyone attempting to create unrest in Dhubri will face severe consequences.”
Durga Puja is scheduled to be celebrated from September 28 to October 2 this year.
Sarma had first announced the orders during a visit to Dhubri on June 13, saying they were necessary to deter communal groups attempting to disturb peace in the sensitive border district adjoining Bangladesh.
Ten days later, he revisited the district and revealed that over 150 “anti-social elements,” including 11 with pending cases from outside Assam, had been arrested since the enforcement of the order.
The tension in Dhubri had escalated around Bakrid, when a cow’s skull was discovered outside the Hanuman Temple in the district headquarters.
Though community leaders from both Hindu and Muslim groups appealed for calm, fresh provocations followed a day later with another cow’s head placed outside the temple and incidents of stone pelting reported.
On June 8, Sarma had alleged that cattle were illegally slaughtered at several locations during Bakrid and that parts of the meat were deliberately scattered across the state.
Reiterating his government’s stance, the chief minister said the administration is determined to maintain law and order and “defeat all communal forces” in Assam.
- Location :
Assam, India, India
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