Assam: Angry over Ayodhya, Muslim group attacks youths for doing Pooja at local temple

Eventually, the most awaited moment of the past 500 years has arrived when Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation for the Ram temple at Ayodhya.

Meanwhile, a clash took place between two communities over Ram temple Bhoomi Pujan celebration on Wednesday in Assam. Following which, An indefinite curfew has been imposed.

The clash broke out after some local minority organisations raised objection to a bike-rally organised by Bajarang Dal activists in Thelamara area of Dhekiajuli to celebrate the foundation-laying ceremony of Ram Mandir on Wednesday.

According to reports, at least 12 Bajrang Dal activists were injured and several bikes and a four-wheeler belonging to them were burnt in the clash. Sonitpur Deputy Commissioner (DC) Manavendra Pratap Singh’s vehicle was also reportedly damaged in the clash.

It all started when a group of people attacked Bajrang Dal activists who organised a bike rally to celebrate the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony of Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir.

It has been learnt that a group of people from a certain community stopped Bajrang Dal activists from going to a Lord Shiva temple in Bhora Singori in the Thelamara police station area.

The Muslim locals allegedly objected to the Bajrang Dal activists raising Jai Shriram slogans and playing music. This resulted in a heated exchange of argument between the two groups which soon culminated into a clash.

According to a senior police official, “locals objected to the group playing loud music in their area. They also asked why the rally was organised when the people were fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. This led to arguments, which eventually turned ugly and a clash started.”

Meanwhile, Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal has directed Assam Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta to launch an enquiry into the incident. The Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) G P Singh who visited the trouble-torn area on Thursday said that all those involved in the incident would be brought to book. Appealing the people to maintain communal harmony, Singh said that none would be spared.

He said that local administration has imposed the curfew and additional companies of security forces have also been deployed to bring the situation under control. He however refused to blame any particular group for the incident.

“We are going to hold detailed enquiry to fix the responsibility of those responsible for the clash. All, irrespective of any caste, creed or religion would be penalised if found guilty in the enquiry,” said Singh adding that situation was tense but under control.

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Writer, historian, and activist Dharam Sikarwar is a very active author The Youth. He writes on national and international issues, environment, politics. He is an avid book reader as well.