Five Arrested in Goalpara for Dumping Cow Head Near Temple Post Eid Celebrations

Arrests Made in Goalpara Incident

Guwahati, June 15: Authorities in Lakhipur, Goalpara, apprehended five suspects on Sunday for allegedly discarding a severed cow head close to a temple shortly after the Eid-ul-Zuha festivities.

The individuals, identified as Bodir Ali (57), Hazarat Ali (58), Tara Mia (36), Shajamal Mia (42), and Jahangir Alom (32), have raised concerns about potential communal discord in the region.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that a case has been filed against the accused under applicable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

"Assam is a sensitive state. This incident reflects a long-standing conspiracy that has persisted since independence. Addressing it requires more than just warnings; it demands ongoing commitment and effort," he stated during an event in Dibrugarh.

The arrests followed the discovery of the severed cow head on the main road leading to a well-known Kali temple in the Daspara area.

Local police responded swiftly, clearing the site and launching an investigation.

In the meantime, the Muslim community in Lakhipur has voiced their outrage over the act of discarding the cow head near a place of worship.

A local resident, who is also the President of the Jama Masjid, mentioned that a meeting was held with community members, emphasizing the need for appropriate punishment for the offenders.

He added that they had contacted local beef vendors, advising them to refrain from selling meat within a 5-kilometer radius of temples.

“We visited several shops and requested them not to sell beef in the vicinity. Some shopkeepers confirmed they had not sold beef since Eid and promised to continue this practice,” he remarked.

The arrests in Lakhipur occurred just a day after over 40 individuals were detained in the neighboring district of Dhubri due to similar incidents involving the disposal of cow heads at temples.

Earlier in the week, the Chief Minister had cautioned against the misuse of beef as a communal weapon in Assam.

He referred to recent events where cow meat was found discarded at various locations across the state, labeling them as intentional efforts to disrupt Assam's traditionally peaceful social environment.

“People should feel free to consume what they wish during festivals like Eid. However, leaving leftover cow meat outside educational institutions and religious sites is unacceptable. Such actions are calculated provocations aimed at inciting communal tensions. Certain individuals are weaponizing cow meat to stir unrest,” Sarma remarked.