HT Digital,
Guwahati, Dec 26: Police on Thursday arrested four leaders affiliated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal for allegedly disrupting Christmas celebrations at St Mary’s English School in Panigaon area of Assam’s Nalbari district on Wednesday.
Those arrested have been identified as VHP Nalbari district vice president Manas Patgiri, secretary Bhaskar Deka, assistant secretary Biju Dutta, and Bajrang Dal Nalbari district coordinator Nayanmoni Talukdar.
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According to police, the accused were detained near Riddhi Siddhi Hotel in Nalbari town and are currently being questioned at Belsor Police Station. They are accused of leading a group that vandalised the school premises on Christmas Eve.
The protesters allegedly tore down banners and posters related to Christmas celebrations, set fire to decorations, and discarded a statue of Jesus Christ. They also reportedly raised slogans inside the school campus and warned the authorities against celebrating Christmas.
The group is further accused of entering selected business establishments in Nalbari town, seizing Christmas-related items and burning them.
St Mary’s School principal Father Baiju Sebastian lodged a formal complaint with the district superintendent of police and later filed a case at Belsor Police Station on behalf of the school authorities.
Police said efforts are on to identify and arrest others involved in the incident.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in a post on social media, said the accused had been arrested and assured strict action. He stated that the Assam government remains committed to maintaining communal harmony and ensuring the safety of all institutions and citizens across the state.
