Staff Reporter, Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday announced that the state government will soon formulate a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure that the sacrifice of cows is strictly prohibited within a 5-kilometre radius of religious institutions during Eid celebrations. Addressing a press briefing at the Lok Sewa Bhawan, the Chief Minister clarified that while the sacrifice of other animals as part of religious practices will continue to be allowed, the sacrifice of cows will not be permitted near religious sites such as temples, naamghars, and gurdwaras. “We are working to create an SOP to ensure strict implementation of the provisions laid out in the Assam Cattle Preservation Bill across the state,” Sarma stated. He emphasized that the move aims to curb rising incidents of illegal cow slaughter and the improper disposal of animal remains, which have often triggered communal tensions. The Chief Minister pointed out that the disposal of severed cow heads in public areas has become a recurring issue, particularly following Eid-ul-Zuha. He attributed this trend to the lax enforcement of the Assam Cattle Preservation Act by district administrations. “The district administration failed to enforce the law that prohibits the slaughter and consumption of beef within a 5 km radius of religious institutions. This has led to a lack of public awareness and a rise in violations,” he said. Sarma’s announcement follows a string of incidents across multiple districts involving the recovery of severed cow heads near places of worship. On Tuesday, a severed cow head was found near a naamghar in Lakhimpur, leading to the arrest of seven individuals. In another incident on June 15, five people were arrested in Goalpara for allegedly dumping a cow head near a temple in Lakhipur. Calling these acts “communal conspiracies,” the Chief Minister condemned them as deliberate attempts to incite unrest and desecrate sacred places. “Such acts are unforgivable and will not be tolerated,” he said. District authorities have been directed to remain vigilant in the days leading up to Eid and ensure that no violation of the law takes place. The upcoming SOP is expected to include clear directives for monitoring, public awareness, and legal action against violators. The announcement has stirred widespread public attention, with various stakeholders anticipating further clarity on implementation procedures and community outreach measures.
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