Assam school vandalism: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma says those behind Nalbari Christmas attack arrested

Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said those involved in the vandalism of Christmas preparations at St. Mary's School in Panigaon village in Nalbari were arrested.

Sarma stated on X, “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 arrested persons are VHP Nalbari district secretary Bhaskar Deka, the parishad's district vice-president Manash Jyoti Patgiri, and assistant secretary Biju Dutta, along with Bajrang Dal's district convenor Nayan Talukdar, he added.

The Assam Christian Forum (ACF) has demanded that the police file a Suo Moto FIR against the miscreants involved in the vandalism of Christmas preparations.

The Forum had expressed its shock and anguish over the vandalism of the Christmas preparations and the destruction of festival items from local shops by an identifiable outfit on the eve of Christmas.

The Forum said that videos circulating on social media clearly identify the perpetrators, who tore down and burned school banners and posters while targeting shops.

Allen Brooks, spokesperson of the Assam Christian Forum, said, "The police should register an FIR suo motu, and there should be swift identification, arrest, and booking of all culprits, who are clearly visible in the social media videos already in circulation."

He said that this act wounds religious sentiments, spreads hatred, and violates constitutional rights to freedom of religion under Article 25, threatening Assam's peace and harmony.

The ACF unequivocally condemned the incident and demanded strict adherence to the due process of law, ensuring exemplary punishment to deter future incidents and restore faith in the justice system.

They also demanded enhanced security protocols for places of worship and religious events across the state to prevent recurrence.

"This is not Assam's culture and not true to Assam's ethos of unity inspired by Srimanta Shankar Dev. ACF urges the government and society to uphold secularism and interfaith bonds this Christmas and beyond," he said.

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Gaurav Gogoi stated on X, “I strongly condemn the desecration of festive items and religious symbols in a school in Nalbari.”