Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the arrests and stated that 16 people were taken into custody—nine from Cachar district and seven from Sribhumi.

The chief minister said that five slaughter sites were raided, three in Cachar district’s Gumrah, Silchar, and Lakhipur areas, and two in Karimganj district’s Badarpur and Banga localities.

Eid-al-Adha, an important Islamic festival, commemorates the spirit of sacrifice and includes the ritual slaughter of livestock. However, critics have raised concerns over the selective application of laws targeting the Muslim community. They warn that BJP-ruled states have witnessed a growing trend of harassment against Muslims, particularly during religious festivals and other significant occasions.