Outrage Erupts Over Assault on Bihu Performers in Sribhumi
Incident Overview
The incident took place on October 23 after a reported misunderstanding led to an altercation
Sribhumi, Oct 25: A recent attack on a group of Bihu dancers during an idol immersion event in Sribhumi has sparked significant public outrage, prompting student and youth organizations to demand accountability for the perpetrators.
The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) expressed their condemnation of the incident on Sunday, calling for immediate and decisive action.
“The pride of Assam, the dhol, has been destroyed, and Bihu performers have faced violence. This is utterly intolerable. We urge Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to take swift action. Those responsible for the assault must be identified, apprehended, and punished severely,” stated AASU general secretary Samiran Phukon.
The altercation occurred on October 23, reportedly stemming from a misunderstanding involving the Bihu performers.
Following the incident, police detained 14 individuals from the Hindustan Club, which had organized the Bihu performances as part of its final idol immersion event of the year.
These individuals were later released after appearing in court on Saturday.
The police's response has also faced criticism, as reports indicate they arrived late at the club on Bipinpal Road around 1 am.
AASU president Utpal Sarma called for strong measures in a social media post on Saturday, labeling those responsible as “anti-Assamese forces.”
“It is a matter of great shame that Assamese citizens feel unsafe in their own state, especially under a government that claims to safeguard the identity and homeland of the Assamese people. The culprits must face severe consequences,” Sarma emphasized.
The AJYCP echoed these sentiments, demanding the arrest of all involved parties.
“We completely denounce this incident and insist on the arrest of those responsible. We have seen similar occurrences in Barak Valley before. We want to remind everyone that while Assamese people are welcoming, such behavior is unacceptable,” AJYCP chief Palash Changmai remarked.
Both organizations are calling for a comprehensive investigation and stringent action against those accountable.
The details surrounding the altercation and the police's handling of the situation remain focal points of the ongoing controversy.
As of this report, the police have not released any official statement regarding the incident.