Why Himanta Biswa Sarma Has Kept Shoot-At-Sight Order In Assam’s Dhubri Till Durga Puja?

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday ruled that the shoot-at-sight orders during night hours in Dhubri district will be in place until Durga Puja, which is from September 28 to October 2. The order, initially imposed on June 13 following communal violence, is being implemented to maintain peace and security during the festival. While speaking to media in Kokrajhar, Sarma said, “The shoot-at-sight orders have not been withdrawn and will continue.”. To anyone who comes to create trouble in Dhubri. We would be strict.

The Chief Minister stated that the government’s first priority will be protecting the minority Hindu community in Dhubri, which has had serious violence over the last few months, some aspects of which attracted great media attention. While things are peaceful today, also stated that to be safe for the festivities, they are compromising with a gamut of added security, having the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and CRPF troops under the watch of out senior intillegence and senior Central Police organisations, and they will remain in place for the festivities.

Why Shoot-at-Sight Was Imposed in Dhubri?

Shoot-at-sight orders have been ordered from June communal tensions. The trouble had started after some meat pieces were found near a temple in Dhubri town on the occasion of Eid (June 7) and protests were staged. The situation escalated when, outside a Hanuman temple a day after Bakrid, the skull of a cow was discovered, setting off stone-throwing and clashes. Fresh attempts to create trouble were made despite calls for peace.
Sarma went to Dhubri himself on June 13 and announced the shoot-at-sight order at night to prevent communal forces from taking advantage of the situation.

Security forces arrested over 150 suspected troublemakers, including 11 cross-border individuals with active criminal cases within days. Sarma said his government would not let down their vehemence for violent communal activity, and would deal firmly with any acts meant to disturb the peace.
With Durga Puja fast approaching, the Chief Minister noted that the extraordinary provisions will remain in force to ensure miscreants do not disturb the district’s peace. “Communal forces will not be allowed to disturb Assam. The law will deal firmly with anyone attempting to disturb the peace,” said Sarma.

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