Four Arrested For Pre-Christmas Vandalism In Assam School
Assam CM says his govt committed to maintain communal harmony
Guwahati: The Assam police on Friday said that they arrested four persons associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal on Thursday for vandalising decorative items used for Christmas celebrations at a school and damaging festive articles in shops in Assam’s Nalbari district.
The incident took place on Wednesday when the accused allegedly entered St Mary’s School at Panigaon village under Belsor police station and burnt and damaged decorative items meant for Christmas celebrations.
Police said, “We have arrested miscreants who vandalised the school. They entered the premises unlawfully.”
He said that the accused vandalised outer decorations, lights, plant pots, and other articles as well as set some items on fire, resulting in loss of property.
“A case has been registered at Belsor police station. Further investigation is going on. We are trying to identify some more people who were involved,” police said.
The arrested persons are VHP Nalbari district secretary Bhaskar Deka, parishad's district vice-president Manash Jyoti Patgiri and assistant secretary Biju Dutta, along with Bajrang Dal's district convenor Nayan Talukdar.
They shouted slogans 'Jai Shree Ram' and warned the school authorities not to organise Christmas celebrations on the school premises.
The accused also went to various shops selling Christmas goods in Nalbari town and set fire to some items near the Jain Mandir. They also entered several shopping malls and business establishments selling Christmas items and burnt down the goods.
Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday assured strict action against those involved in pre-Christmas vandalism at St. Mary English School in the Panigaon area of Nalbari district.
“We are fully committed to maintaining peace, communal harmony, and ensuring the safety of all institutions and citizens across the state,” said Mr Sarma in his social media post.
