He said refraining from cow slaughter during the upcoming Bakrid celebrations, saying such “voluntary actions” would strengthen communal harmony in the state.
“Several Eidgah and Kabristan committees in Hojai, Dhubri, Bongaigaon, Udharbond and other places have given an appeal to refrain from cow slaughter during Bakrid, and have also explained the legal and religious reasons behind it,” Sarma said in a post on X.
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He welcomed this initiative of “respecting the sentiments of the majority Sanatan community”.
The Dhubri district administration said no cattle slaughter would be permitted anywhere in the district during the upcoming Bakrid celebrations, pointing to the absence of certified slaughterhouses under the provisions of the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021.
Bakrid is on May 28. Chairing the meeting, District Commissioner Megha Nidhi Dahal directed all departments concerned to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the festivities across the district.Explaining the legal provisions under the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021, Dahal said the slaughter, sale and transportation of cattle without valid permits are strictly prohibited under the law.
He further stated that beef sale is illegal in areas predominantly inhabited by Hindu, Jain or Sikh communities, as well as within a five-kilometre radius of any temple or satra. The District Commissioner noted that cattle, including cows, bulls, bullocks, calves and buffaloes, can only be slaughtered if the animal is above 14 years of age and permanently incapacitated from work or breeding due to accidental injury or deformity.
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He, however, clarified that any such slaughter is legally permitted only at certified slaughterhouses. “Since there are no certified slaughterhouses in Dhubri district, no cattle slaughter will be permitted within the district,” a statement read.
The District Commissioner directed the Health Department to station ambulances at crowded Idgah venues and ensure doctors, nurses and medical personnel remain on duty at government healthcare facilities throughout the day. The meeting was attended by officials from various government departments, representatives of the Dhubri Bar Association, mosque committees and Idgah management bodies from different parts of the district.
Last year post Bakrid celebration law and order situation deteriorated in Dhubri. The town had repeatedly witnessed recovery of beef near a temple. On June 9 last year, the Dhubri district administration-imposed prohibition under BNSS 2023 in Dhubri town following the likelihood of breach of peace and public tranquillity in areas falling under Dhubri police station due to communal tension.
The area witnessed tension following recovery of banned meat including a severed cow head from the premises of a Hanuman temple in the town’s Ward no 3.
This triggered widespread protest in the town.
