Silchar: An alleged assault on an 11-member Bihu troupe during an idol immersion procession organised by Hindustan Club in Sribhumi town on Saturday night has triggered reactions across Assam, with CM Himanta Biswa Sarma directing the police to take immediate action. Thirteen people arrested in connection with the incident were later granted bail by a court.The troupe, comprising 11 artistes from Borgul and Adarkona villages under Badarpur police station, had been invited to perform during the club’s final idol immersion procession. An altercation allegedly broke out between some organisers and the performers, leading to an assault in which several artistes were injured.Sribhumi police shifted the injured performers to a hospital for treatment. A video purportedly showing the assault circulated on social media, prompting reactions from political parties and several organisations across the state.Reacting to the incident, Sarma wrote on X, “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.”The CM said he had directed Assam Director General of Police Harmeet Singh to ensure immediate action against those responsible.The DGP subsequently confirmed that a case had been registered and that 13 people had been arrested and forwarded to court. Police said efforts were under way to identify other suspects. A truck used to transport the idol and sound equipment were also reportedly seized as part of the investigation.Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi condemned the incident, describing the alleged attack on the artistes during a performance of Assamese songs as deeply unfortunate.He said the assault was not merely an attack on the performers but also on Assam’s cultural heritage and tradition of communal harmony. Gogoi demanded an immediate, impartial and time-bound investigation, along with stringent legal action against those found guilty. He also said language and culture should never become sources of conflict.Meanwhile, All Assam Students’ Union president Utpal Sarma condemned the assault, alleging that the attackers had damaged a dhol and threatened to stop the performance of Assamese songs. He demanded stringent action against those responsible.AASU general secretary Samiran Phukan and Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chhatra Parishad president Palash Changmai also condemned the incident and demanded action against those allegedly involved.Changmai expressed concern over the safety of Assamese artistes and the protection of the Assamese language and culture in Barak Valley. Tai Ahom Yuba Parishad Assam general secretary Gunakanta Gogoi also reacted to the incident.Meanwhile, Assam minister Krishnendu Paul, Ratabari MLA Bijay Malakar and Sribhumi BJP leader Subrata Bhattacharya visited the homes of the injured Bihu troupe members on Sunday evening and enquired about their health.Condemning the assault, they assured the victims that justice would be ensured and appropriate action would be taken against those responsible.Amid the tension, concerned citizens appealed for restraint and urged people not to portray the incident as a conflict between Assamese and Bengali communities. They stressed the importance of preserving harmony between the Barak and Brahmaputra valleys and demanded an impartial investigation to establish the circumstances leading to the assault and bring those responsible to justice.
