Cops, para-military deployed in Dhubri ahead of Eid-ul-Zuha

Dhubri: District administration has deployed armed police and para-military forces in communally sensitive areas across Dhubri, including places of worship, to ensure peaceful Eid-ul-Zuha celebrations on Thursday.


Despite Muslim organisations saying that they would refrain from cow sacrifice this year on Eid-ul-Zuha, security has been stepped up to any untoward incidents.


Last year, shortly after Eid-ul-Zuha, animal parts were recovered from the premises of a place of worship in Dhubri, followed by “wall writings by a newly floated Muslim underground organisation — Nabin Bangla.”


These two incidents triggered communal tension and CM Himanta Biswa Sarma had to visit Dhubri and issued a ‘shoot at sight’ order against those creating trouble.


Precautionary measure are being taken by Dhubri district administration and police to maintain law and order.


In a significant development, a conglomeration of prominent Muslim bodies came out with an appeal (printed leaflet) to the Muslim community to refrain from kurbani (sacrifice) of cows and urged them to choose alternatives during Eid-Ul-Zuha.


In a joint public statement issued on Sunday by Dhubri Eidgah Committee, Dhubri Kabrastan Committee, and various mosque committees of Dhubri district, people were urged to abide by the law against cow slaughter.


Bidypara Jame Masjid (Markaz) president Salim Khan told TOI that organisations have appealed to the people of the Muslim community to abide by the law which regulates cattle slaughter in the state of Assam.


“While acknowledging the cow sacrifice traditional practised by many. However, Islam does not make it compulsory as several other alternatives are available for performing Qurbani,” he said, adding that every individual should be able to observe their religious practices without causing discomfort or offence to followers of other faiths.


Dhubri district commissioner Megha Nidhi Dahal said apart from sufficient police and para-military forces deployed in the district, there are back up forces being kept on standby.