Guwahati: Two Youths Detained For Painting Sonam Wangchuk Portrait On Public Wall

Guwahati : Amid the growing support for activist Sonam Wangchuk, police on Saturday detained two youths for painting a portrait of activist Sonam Wangchuk on a public roadside wall without prior permission near Jyoti Bishnu Bhawan in Khanapara area of the capital city.

The detained youths have been identified as Nakul Mili of Dibrugarh and Gaurav Singh of Dakshin Gaon in Guwahati.

Informing that they were detained by a night patrolling team of Dispur Police after painting the portrait on the public wall, police said that prior permission is mandatory for painting on public or government property and that action was initiated as the artwork was created without authorisation.

The duo are also accused of violating the chief minister's directive against defacing public property. Police said that an FIR has been registered at Dispur Police Station under Case No. 524/26, and legal proceedings have been initiated against both individuals.

Police however clarified that they would be released after being served notices to appear before the investigating officer, in accordance with legal procedure.

Meanwhile, a separate case has also been registered at Basistha Police Station in connection with paintings made beneath the Basistha Flyover. Police said that those involved in that incident would also be detained as part of the investigation.

Guwahati police asserted that no one is permitted to paint or deface public or government property without prior permission and warned that strict action would be taken against such violations in the future.

In a related development the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) , the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), Assam state committees, staged separate demonstrations in in Guwahati in support of activist Sonam Wangchuk.

“It is strange that the government is unwilling to undertake a dialogue on the issue and does not want to be accountable. In a democracy, elected representatives are responsible for listening to the people. What is the problem in discussing the irregularities that took place in national examinations?” students leaders asked.

Rejecting attempts to portray the agitation as anti-national, students said, “Sonam Wangchuk is not anti-national. We, too, are not anti-national. We love this country and our land of Assam. We are demanding better education reforms and a better future for students."

Drawing parallels with Assam, the spokesperson alleged that governments were increasingly prioritising corporate interests over people's concerns.

“Instead of addressing the concerns of citizens, governments are working in the interests of big investors. Social activists are being arrested for raising issues related to land and people's rights. We stand with Sonam Wangchuk and cannot allow him to die. If something happens to him, the government will have to answer for it,” he said.

Senior journalist Maini Mahanta, who joined the protest, said Wangchuk's stature and contribution to society makes the government's silence deeply troubling.