Nalbari vandalism: CM vows action, Gaurav slams incident

Guwahati: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said strict action will be taken against the four VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders arrested for vandalising a missionary school in Nalbari on Dec 24, reaffirming the govt’s commitment to peace and communal harmony.

Congress state president Gaurav Gogoi also condemned the incident and said if elected, the party will introduce a stringent law to punish those involved in desecrating any place of worship or religious ritual, across all communities.

The arrested persons are VHP Nalbari district secretary Bhaskar Deka, parishad’s district vice-president Manash Jyoti Patgiri, assistant secretary Biju Dutta, and Bajrang Dal’s district convener Nayan Talukdar.

The CM, in a post on X, wrote: “Assam Police acted promptly, and further action will be taken strictly as per law. We are fully committed to maintaining peace, communal harmony, and ensuring the safety of all institutions and citizens across the state.”

The incident took place on Wednesday when the accused allegedly entered the missionary school in Panigaon village under the Belsor Police Station limits, and burnt and damaged decorative items meant for Christmas celebrations. The accused are also alleged to have raised ‘Jai Shree Ram’ slogans and warned the school authorities not to organise Christmas celebrations on the school premises on Thursday, a police officer said.

“Miscreants who vandalised the school have been arrested. They entered the premises unlawfully. The accused vandalised outer decorations, lights, plant pots, and other articles, as well as set some items on fire, resulting in loss of property,” the officer said. 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,” the officer added.

Gogoi, while condemning the incident, wrote in a post on X, “The sitting MLA is the minister responsible for the massive corruption in the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme. He is another close aide of chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. After the recent state wide Congress led protests against the JJM scam, the BJP minister needs the VHP and Bajrang Dal to regain his position within his party.”

Stating that the fraternity is enshrined in the preamble of the Indian Constitution, he added, “Next year, after Congress comes to power in Assam, we will enact a tough law that will strictly punish any person or group of persons responsible for desecrating the places of worship or rituals of a religious group, be it Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jain or Sikh.”

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