Sribhumi, Oct 25: Amid mounting demands for action over the alleged attack on Bihu performers in Sribhumi, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday directed DGP Harmeet Singh to ensure prompt action against those responsible.
“The news of an attack on a Bihu troupe in Sribhumi is deeply disturbing and unfortunate. Bihu is the soul of Assam, our pride and our identity. We will never tolerate any insult to our culture and heritage. I have directed the @DGPAssamPolice to ensure immediate action against those responsible,” Sarma wrote in a social media post.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with student and youth organisations calling for strict action against those involved.
“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 during an idol immersion procession.
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 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 demanded the arrest of those involved in the incident.
“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 had not issued a statement on the incident at the time of filing this report.