Introduction
The Assam shoot on sight order 2025 has become one of the most debated security directives ahead of the Durga Puja festival. Concerns range from whether the order applies statewide to its legality under Indian law. This blog verifies what has actually been ordered, examines the legal framework, and highlights additional measures recently taken by the Assam government.
Assam Shoot on Sight Order 2025: Dhubri District Focus
On June 13, 2025, communal clashes erupted in Dhubri district, triggered by the discovery of cow remains outside a temple. In response, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma authorized night-time shoot-at-sight orders. On August 26, 2025, Sarma confirmed that this order will remain in force during Durga Puja (September 28 – October 2).
Key Points
- Scope: The directive applies only to Dhubri district and nearby sensitive areas, not statewide.
- Timing: Restricted to night hours.
- Purpose: To deter communal unrest, not explicitly to target immigrants.
- CM’s Statement: Protection of the Hindu minority in Dhubri is a government priority.
Immigration Measures in Assam
Pushbacks & Deportations
Since May 2025, Assam has stepped up pushback operations:
- 450+ deportations by August 2025.
- 33 people deported on Aug 30.
- 13 deported on Sept 3 from Barpeta.
- Over 2,000 alleged infiltrators pushed back since May 2025.
These actions are often conflated with the Assam shoot on sight order 2025, though they operate under different legal mechanisms.
Revival of the 1950 Act
The government has revived the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950, giving district commissioners power to deport without tribunal hearings.
Aadhaar Freeze
From October 1, 2025, Aadhaar issuance for first-time adult applicants will be frozen unless cleared through verification.
Other Key Orders
- Prohibitory order around Guwahati’s Raj Bhavan.
- SOP on inter-religious land transfers.
- Arms licenses for indigenous communities.
- Assamese compulsory in government communications.
Legal and Constitutional Implications
The Assam shoot on sight order 2025 raises important constitutional questions.
- No formal “shoot on sight” law exists. Security forces operate under the CrPC or, in some states, AFSPA, which allow force in limited situations.
- Article 21 of the Constitution protects the right to life for all individuals, including non-citizens. Blanket lethal orders risk violating this.
- Supreme Court rulings (e.g., PUCL vs Union of India, 1997; Om Prakash vs State of Jharkhand, 2012) emphasize proportionality and due process in use of force.
- Legal experts warn that Assam’s pushback policy and shoot orders could be viewed as extra-judicial action if not carefully regulated.
Political and Civil Society Reactions
- BJP Government: Defends the Dhubri order and pushbacks as essential for security.
- Opposition: Warns of abuse, questions BSF efficiency, calls for review.
- AASU: Demands stricter measures, including border sealing and tougher shoot-at-sight enforcement.
- Human Rights Groups: HRW and CJP report unlawful expulsions and due process violations.
- Bangladesh: Officially protested pushbacks; Border Guard Bangladesh claims nearly 2,000 people were forced across since May.
Festival Security in Assam: Historical Context
Durga Puja in Assam has historically meant tight security: CCTV surveillance, curfews, BSF patrols. The Assam shoot on sight order 2025 fits this broader tradition of heightened vigilance, but stands out for explicitly authorizing lethal force — making it unusually controversial.
Conclusion
The Assam shoot on sight order 2025 is confirmed but restricted to Dhubri district, tied to communal security rather than a blanket anti-immigrant directive. Alongside it, Assam is intensifying its broader immigration crackdown with pushbacks, Aadhaar restrictions, and revived legal tools. Together, these measures underline the state’s hardline approach at the crossroads of security, politics, and human rights.
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