Tension in Assam after cow parts found near temples

Tension gripped parts of Assam's Dhubri and Cachar districts as people clashed with police on Saturday after body parts of cows were found near temples. Many people were injured, a few have been arrested while curfew has been imposed in one of the districts to prevent the incidents from spilling over.

Police said the problem started in Agomoni in Dhubri district on Friday evening after a group of people beat up two youth alleging that they intentionally kept some beef near a temple in Kaldoba area.

Although police intervened and managed to control the situation immediately, the situation turned worse on Saturday morning as hundreds of people belonging to one community took to the streets protesting against Friday's assault on the two youth.

Police sources said the irate mob destroyed shops and commercial establishments in Agomoni area and also set a motorcycle ablaze.

Police resorted to baton-charge, leading to injuries to many protesters.

The Dhubri district administration immediately imposed curfew in and around Agomoni area.

The administration imposed Section 144 that prohibits assembly of more than 10 people in the entire district to ensure that the violence does not spill over.

Police have arrested 19 people so far for inciting violence.

In a similar incident, tension gripped Silchar town of Cachar district after the recovery of a cow's head near a Kali temple in Meherpur area on Friday evening.

Although police managed the situation on Friday night, people from one community took out a protest rally in Silchar town on Saturday morning.

As the protest turned unruly, police resorted to a baton-charge in which many protesters were injured.

BJP legislator Dilip Paul along with another BJP leader were arrested for their alleged involvement.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi alleged the involvement of "fundamentalist forces" behind the incidents and said some people were trying to foment communal tension.

He said police received intelligence inputs and were able to prevent the clashes before they could spread.