38 Arrested in Assam’s Dhubri: Communal Tensions Boil Over Again

You know how some places just can’t catch a break? Dhubri’s one of them. Just when things were settling down, bam—cattle remains show up near temples during Eid. And just like that, Assam’s border district is back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Let me break it down for you. The whole thing started when locals woke up to find—well, let’s just say it wasn’t your typical morning. Tensions flared faster than a match in dry grass. By afternoon, you had mobs on the streets, shops shutting down, and police scrambling to keep things under control. Honestly, it’s the kind of situation that gives you that sinking feeling in your gut.

What Went Down in Dhubri?

Picture this: It’s Eid morning. People are preparing for prayers when someone spots something near the temples. Cattle remains. Now, in most places, this would be shocking. In Dhubri? It’s like pouring gasoline on smoldering embers.

Social media did what it does best—turned a spark into a wildfire. Within hours, you had clashes, broken windows, the whole ugly scene. And here’s the thing—when emotions run high, facts tend to take a backseat. Some claimed it was deliberate provocation. Others called it a setup. Truth? Probably somewhere in between.

The Government’s Tough Stance

Authorities didn’t mess around. Shoot-on-sight orders after 10 PM? Harsh, but not surprising if you know Assam’s history. They rounded up 38 people—some genuine troublemakers, others probably just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Then CM Sarma drops the real bombshell: secessionist posters. Yeah, the kind that talk about merging Dhubri with Bangladesh. Now that’s a whole different level of trouble. Makes you wonder—who benefits from stirring this pot?

Why Dhubri? Why Now?

Here’s the background you need: Dhubri’s always been a tinderbox. 2012 clashes? Check. 1983 Nellie massacre? Still fresh in people’s memories. Add to that the whole cattle politics—over 1,200 arrests since 2021—and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.

But it’s not just about religion. There’s land disputes, border anxieties, economic frustrations—all simmering under the surface. Sometimes it feels like people are just waiting for an excuse to explode.

Mixed Reactions All Around

The political blame game started before the dust even settled. BJP’s opponents cried “divisive politics.” Hindu groups demanded stricter laws. Muslim leaders called it sabotage. The only bright spot? Local imams and priests standing together, pleading for peace. Small comfort, but we’ll take what we can get.

What’s Being Done?

On paper, the response looks solid: NSA charges, extra troops, even drones. But let’s be real—you can’t drone your way to communal harmony. The government’s talking about community policing initiatives. Good idea in theory. In practice? With Dhubri’s history, color me skeptical.

The Misinformation Mess

Here’s what really grinds my gears—the fake videos. Cops beating people (not true). Temple desecration (debunked). By the time fact-checkers did their job, the damage was done. Makes you wonder—should social media have an emergency brake for situations like this?

The Big Picture

At the end of the day, Dhubri’s story isn’t just about one incident. It’s about unresolved tensions, economic frustrations, and how quickly things can spiral when trust is in short supply. The arrests might calm things temporarily, but until someone addresses the root causes, we’re just kicking the can down the road.

FAQs (What People Are Actually Asking)

What started all this?
Cattle remains found near temples during Eid. Whether it was deliberate or not—that’s what investigators need to figure out.

Shoot-on-sight sounds extreme. Is it legal?
Technically yes, when there’s imminent threat of large-scale violence. But it’s not something they do lightly.

Are these secession posters for real?
They’re real. Who’s behind them? That’s the million-dollar question.

What can ordinary people do?
Easier said than done, but—don’t spread rumors. Support local peace efforts. And maybe think twice before sharing that inflammatory post.

Look, I don’t have all the answers. But one thing’s clear—Dhubri deserves better than this endless cycle of tension and violence. The question is, are we willing to do what it takes to break it?

Source: Times of India – Main