State to Issue SOP for Cattle Act Enforcement Amid Growing Concerns

The Assam government has confirmed that it will soon issue a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to streamline the implementation of the Assam Cattle Preservation Act across the state. The decision, announced on June 20, comes in the backdrop of rising public debate and administrative confusion around enforcement practices, especially in areas bordering religious sites.

According to senior officials in the Home Department, the SOP will lay out clear guidelines for local authorities, police, veterinary departments, and revenue officials on how to uniformly enforce the law. Key elements will include procedures for checking illegal cattle transport, roles of various departments, protocols for seizure and sheltering of cattle, and the rights of cattle owners.

Officials say the SOP is being designed to minimize arbitrary action, avoid communal tension, and protect the livelihood of genuine farmers. A clear demarcation of the 5-kilometre buffer zone around temples and religious institutions will also be part of the SOP to avoid overlaps and misinterpretation.

The document is expected to be circulated within the next two weeks, and district administrations will receive training on implementation. The government has assured the public that the SOP will bring clarity, fairness, and transparency to the law’s execution.