Police in Assam arrested four office-bearers linked to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal on Thursday for vandalising Christmas decorations at a missionary school and torching festive goods in parts of Nalbari district on Christmas eve.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at St Mary’s English School in Panigaon village, under Belsor police station limits, where the accused allegedly trespassed into the campus and destroyed decorative items put up for Christmas celebrations. Lights, plant pots and other festive articles were damaged, with some set on fire, causing property loss.
Confirming the arrests, a senior police officer said those involved had entered the school premises unlawfully and carried out the vandalism. “Miscreants who vandalised the school have been arrested. They entered the premises unlawfully,” the officer said.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma praised the police for swift action and reiterated the government’s stand on communal harmony. “In connection with the vandalism at St. Mary’s English School, Panigaon, under Belsor Police Station, Nalbari district, the miscreants involved have been arrested. 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 Chief Minister said on X.
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According to the police, the accused also targeted shops selling Christmas items in Nalbari town, setting fire to decorative goods near the Jain Mandir. Several shopping malls and business establishments selling festive articles were similarly affected.
“They had raised ‘Jai Shree Ram’ slogans and warned the school authorities not to organise Christmas celebrations on the school premises,” the officer said, adding that efforts were on to identify others who may have been involved.
A case has been registered at Belsor police station and further investigation is underway.
Those arrested were identified as VHP Nalbari district secretary Bhaskar Deka, district vice-president Manash Jyoti Patgiri, assistant secretary Biju Dutta, and Bajrang Dal district convenor Nayan Talukdar.
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