3 cow skulls recovered from near a prayer hall in Assam, 7 arrested

Tension gripped Assam's Lakhimpur district following the recovery of three cow skulls near a prayer hall, just days after a similar provocative incident in Dhubri triggered unrest. The discovery, made approximately 30 meters from the Chiringsuk Namghar, raised fears of a deliberate attempt to disturb communal harmony.

The incident first came to light on Tuesday when local residents found a severed cow head outside the Namghar. Outraged by the act, they condemned it as deeply offensive and alleged that it was a calculated move to provoke the community.

Police responded swiftly, launching an investigation and initially detaining five individuals in connection with the case. Senior officials, including the Superintendent of Police, visited the site and supervised the recovery of the remains.

On Wednesday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that seven people had been arrested in connection with the case. In a post on social media platform X, Sarma stated, "In a swift and coordinated response, Lakhimpur Police have apprehended 7 individuals in connection with the recovery of 3 cattle skulls found approximately 30 meters from Siring Chuk Namghar, along the roadside."

The arrested individuals have been identified as Monsur Ali, Md Rejjak Ali, Saha Ali, Diluar Hussain, Dildar Hussain, Abu Kalam Ali, and Jahidul Islam. Sarma also revealed that during a search at Monsur Ali's residence, police recovered and seized three additional cattle skulls. He added that the investigation is ongoing and includes technical analysis.

The Lakhimpur incident mirrors a recent episode in Dhubri district, where a cow's head was discovered in front of a Hanuman temple the day after Bakrid, prompting the administration to issue shoot-at-sight orders during night hours. The following day, another cattle skull was found at the same location, accompanied by reports of stone pelting.

On June 8, Chief Minister Sarma stated that several cattle were allegedly slaughtered illegally during Bakrid, and portions of the meat were thrown at various locations across Assam in what he described as a coordinated attempt to spark communal disturbances.

Authorities have so far arrested over 60 individuals in connection with the alleged incidents, with more than 50 arrests made in Dhubri alone.

(with inputs from agencies)