Sribhumi, Oct 25: The alleged assault on a troupe of Bihu performers during an idol immersion procession in Sribhumi has triggered widespread outrage, with student and youth organisations demanding strict action against those responsible.
The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), on Sunday, condemned the alleged attack and called for firm action.
“Assam’s pride, the dhol, has been smashed, and Bihu performers have been attacked. This is totally unacceptable. We urge Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to intervene immediately. Those accused of attacking the performers must be identified, arrested and given strict punishment,” AASU general secretary Samiran Phukon said.
The incident took place on October 23 after a reported misunderstanding led to an altercation involving Bihu performers.
Police subsequently arrested 14 members of Hindustan Club, which had organised Bihu performances as part of its final idol immersion procession of the year.
The arrested members were reportedly released after being produced before a court on Saturday.
The police response has also come under scrutiny. Police reportedly arrived late outside the club on Bipinpal Road at around 1 am.
AASU president Utpal Sarma had called for decisive action in a social media post on Saturday, describing those responsible as “anti-Assamese forces”.
“The fact that Assamese people feel so unsafe in Assam itself should be a matter of immense shame and regret for a government that claims to protect the identity, land, and homeland of the Assamese people. Punish the culprits severely,” Sarma wrote.
The AJYCP also condemned the incident and demanded the arrest of those involved.
“We totally condemn this, and demand the arrest of those involved. From time to time, we have witnessed such cases in Barak Valley. We want to warn them that although Assamese people have embraced everyone, such incidents are unacceptable,” AJYCP chief Palash Changmai said.
Both organisations have called for a thorough investigation and strict action against those responsible.
The circumstances surrounding the altercation and the allegations concerning the police response remain central to the controversy.
The police have not issued a statement on the incident at the time of filing this report.