Assam CM Confirms 16 Arrests Over Illegal Cattle Slaughter During Eid

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the arrest of 16 individuals for alleged illegal cattle slaughter during Eid-ul-Zuha. Cattle parts were recovered from various locations across Assam. Five illegal slaughtering sites were discovered in the Barak Valley districts of Cachar (Gumrah, Silchar, and Lakhipur) and Karimganj (Badarpur and Banga). Sarma stated that the Constitution protects religious freedom but also upholds law and order, emphasizing that strict action will be taken against all violators, regardless of their background. Incidents of road blockades and clashes between communities and police were also reported in Hojai, triggered by the discovery of suspected cattle meat. The Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021 restricts cattle slaughter in areas with significant populations of Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs, and within a five-kilometer radius of religious sites. Police are investigating reports of meat being thrown at premises in Hojai and near Cotton University in Guwahati.