Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma’s recent remarks have sparked a controversy storm of controversy across the state. During a visit to Dhubri on Friday, the Chief Minister directed the police to “shoot on sight” any suspicious person spotted at night, following recent communal tensions in the district.
The visit comes in the backdrop of a disturbing incident where unidentified miscreants reportedly placed prohibited meat at a Hanuman temple in Dhubri, allegedly to incite communal unrest. Taking stock of the situation, the Chief Minister stated that communal forces were attempting to disrupt peace in Dhubri and assured that the government would maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards such acts.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Sarma declared, “Communal forces are active here in Dhubri. Therefore, I have issued orders for immediate shooting at night if anyone is seen causing trouble. If someone throws a stone, the police will shoot if they suspect them.”
He further alleged that a new cattle smuggling racket has emerged in Dhubri during Eid, claiming thousands of cows were transported from West Bengal into Assam. The Chief Minister asserted that an investigation was underway and that those behind this illegal activity would be arrested soon.
Condemning the act of placing forbidden meat at the Hanuman temple, Sarma linked the rise in such incidents to political developments in both Bangladesh and Assam, suggesting that radical elements were being emboldened. “We are seeing extremist religious sentiments emerging both on social media and in real life,” he said.
The Chief Minister also referred to a similar incident at Cotton University in Guwahati, where prohibited items were reportedly placed by miscreants with the alleged intent to provoke religious sentiment. He accused certain groups of deliberately targeting Hindu residents to compel them to vacate certain areas.
Dr. Sarma maintained that, “Ordinary Hindus are good, and ordinary Muslims are good too. But a few groups are spoiling the entire atmosphere. Our government will not tolerate this under any circumstances.” He further vowed to spend the night in Dhubri during the upcoming Bakrid, even saying he would stay at the temple itself if needed.
In response to Sarma’s controversial remarks, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President and MP Gaurav Gogoi issued a statement expressing concern over the communal incidents in Dhubri. Without naming the Chief Minister directly, Gogoi stressed the importance of upholding the Constitution and the law, especially by those holding constitutional office.
Gogoi said, “Just as every citizen is expected to respect and protect the Constitution and the law of the land, the same is expected from those in positions of power.” He also urged the administration to ensure that innocent citizens are not harassed or harmed in the name of law enforcement.
Notably, following the Eid celebrations, incidents of prohibited meat being found at sensitive religious sites in Dhubri and Guwahati have raised tensions in the state. The Chief Minister was accompanied on his Dhubri visit by Assam DGP Harmeet Singh.
The Chief Minister’s “shoot on sight” directive has drawn sharp criticism and raised questions over human rights, due process, and the rule of law in a democratic society.
