3 min readGuwahatiUpdated: Jul 2, 2025 09:08 AM IST
This comes in the backdrop of politics over beef and cattle taking centre stage in Assam over the past month, during which over 150 people were arrested in Dhubri alone (Representative image/AP File Photo)
Over 100 eateries across Assam were raided on Tuesday, and police said over 1,000 kg of suspected beef was seized, in a state-wide crackdown against the unauthorised sale of beef in eateries.
Assam IGP (Law and Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh told The Indian Express that 112 eateries were searched across the state as of 8 pm Tuesday, after which 132 people were apprehended and 1,084 kg of suspected beef was seized.
This comes in the backdrop of politics over beef and cattle taking centre stage in Assam over the past month, during which over 150 people were arrested in Dhubri alone after separate incidents of suspected cattle remains being recovered from near temples in Dhubri, Goalpara and Lakhimpur. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had alleged that the incidents were part of an attempt to create unrest “since Eid ul Zuha”.
Last month, Sarma had said the government would tighten the implementation of the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021, in response to these incidents.
While the Act does not ban the consumption of beef, it has a section that prohibits the sale of beef and beef products in areas “which are predominantly inhabited by Hindu, Jain, Sikh and other non-beef eating communities or within a radius of 5 km of any temple, satra, or other religious institutions belonging to Hindu religion or any other institution or area as may be prescribed by the competent authority”. It also only allows the sale of beef or beef products at places “permitted to do so by the competent authority”.
Last December, Sarma had announced a complete ban on the public consumption of beef in the state, including at restaurants and community gatherings. However, a legislation or legislative amendment to this end has not been passed yet.
The raids on Tuesday took place across all parts of the state. In Dibrugarh, the biggest town in eastern Assam, SSP V V Rakesh Reddy said three eateries were raided as of Tuesday evening. “It is a crackdown against beef selling and to implement the Assam Cattle Preservation Act. We raided three hotels in the town and collected 15 kg of suspected beef from them. We also picked up three individuals. One of the eateries was operating right in front of a Kali temple. Such searches will continue,” he said.
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In central Assam’s Nagaon district, SP Swapnaneel Deka said that 16 people had been apprehended as of Tuesday evening after raids in 15 eateries.
These raids have also been reported from other districts, including Hojai, Kamrup, Kokrajhar, Darrang, and Morigaon.
Sukrita Baruah is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Guwahati. From this strategic hub, she provides comprehensive, ground-level coverage of India's North East, a region characterized by its complex ethnic diversity, geopolitical significance, and unique developmental challenges.
Expertise and Experience
Ethnic & Social Dynamics: Deep-dive coverage of regional conflicts (such as the crisis in Manipur) and peace-building efforts.
Border & Geopolitics: Tracking developments along India’s international borders and their impact on local communities.
Governance & Policy: Reporting on state elections, tribal council decisions, and the implementation of central schemes in the North East.
Specialized Education Background: Prior to her current role, Sukrita was a dedicated Education Correspondent for The Indian Express in Delhi. This experience provided her with a sharp analytical lens for:
Policy Analysis: Evaluating the National Education Policy (NEP) and university-level reforms.
Student Affairs: Covering high-stakes stories regarding campus politics, national entrance exams, and the challenges within the primary and secondary education sectors. ... Read More
