Assam to 'strictly enforce' Cattle Preservation Act post tensions over recovery of beef near temples

"The act passed in 2021 banned slaughter of cattle and consumption of beef within a five kilometer radius of our temples and xatras." Sarma told reporters.

Guwahati: With the recovery of beef near temples triggering communal tension at several places across Assam, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said his government would "strictly enforce" the Cattle Preservation Act 2021 that prohibited slaughter of cattle and consumption of beef within five-kilometers radius of temples and Xatras, Vaishnavite monasteries.

"The act passed in 2021 banned slaughter of cattle and consumption of beef within a five kilometer radius of our temples and xatras.

"But we have observed recovery of cattle heads and other remains near temples and xatras in the past few weeks since the Eid-ul-Adha. Such recovery triggered communal tension and hurt sentiments of the Hindu people.

"Had this act been strictly enforced, such a situation would not have emerged. So we will ask the deputy commissioners to strictly enforce the act from now onwards," Sarma told reporters.

Tension prevailed in Muslim-dominated areas in Dhubri, Goalpara, Lakhimpur and Hojai districts following recovery of cattle heads and bones near temples and xatras.

The chief minister recently ordered a shoot-at-sight order during night in Dhubri saying a certain element was trying to foment communal tension.

Countering Sarma's claim, Congress leader, Gaurav Gogoi, however, alleged that the same was being done by a section of BJP and RSS workers to reap political mileage in the run up to the Assembly elections slated next year.

Social media accounts

Sarma on Friday said the state police have identified more than 5,000 social media accounts (Facebook and other platforms), mostly originating in Islamic countries, and were found trying to promote the opposition Congress in Assam.

Sarma said a forensic audit of over 2,000 such accounts have been conducted and many were found originating in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Palestine and Afghanistan.

He added such accounts were found promoting contents in favour of a particular Congress leader in Assam, ahead of Assembly elections. Although he did not take names, sources in BJP said he was referring to Gaurav Gogoi, who was recently appointed as president of Assam unit of Congress.

Gaurav has emerged as the opposition face against Sarma in the Assembly elections slated early next year. Sarma had earlier accused Gaurav and his family of having links with the ISI.