In a series of swift river patrol operations in Assam’s Dhubri district, police seized more than 33 kilograms of suspected beef being transported through boats and arrested four individuals in connection with two separate incidents.

The operations were carried out at a time when members of the local Muslim community in Dhubri had voluntarily refrained from cow sacrifice during Eid-ul-Azha to maintain communal harmony in the region.

In the first operation, police personnel acting on a tip-off raided a boat named “SB Dosti” that had reportedly arrived from Jaleswar. During a search of the vessel at the river ghat in front of the Dhubri District Commissioner’s office, police recovered around 30 kilograms of suspected boiled beef concealed inside bags.

According to sources, the consignment was allegedly being smuggled from Jaleswar into Dhubri town through the river route. Although no individual claimed ownership of the seized meat, police arrested two boat staff members identified as Abdul Majid Sarkar and Abul Hussain.

In another incident on the same day, police intercepted a separate consignment at Jogmaya Ghat in Dhubri. During the operation, authorities recovered approximately 3.5 kilograms of suspected beef from two men who had arrived through the river route.

Police sources said the meat had allegedly been transported separately from Fakirganj and Phulbari in neighbouring Meghalaya to Dhubri town by boat. The two arrested in the second operation were identified as Hanif Ali, a boatman, and Ahinur Haque, a passenger.

All four accused have been taken to Dhubri Police Station for further interrogation. Police have seized the recovered meat, and separate cases are being registered. A detailed investigation is underway to trace the alleged illegal riverine transport network operating in the area.