Assam Christmas attack: 4 VHP, Bajrang Dal leaders arrested for school vandalism

Guwahati: Police on Thursday arrested four individuals associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal following a series of attacks on Christmas celebrations and related merchandise in Assam's Nalbari district.

The arrests come after a group of miscreants reportedly stormed St. Mary’s School in Panigaon village on Wednesday, located within the Belsor police station limits. According to school officials and police, the intruders unlawfully entered the campus, where they toppled plant pots and destroyed festive lights before setting Christmas banners and other decorative items on fire.

"Miscreants who vandalised the school have been arrested. They entered the premises unlawfully," a senior police official confirmed. He noted that the group targeted external decorations and furniture, causing significant property damage.

Witnesses reported that the men chanted religious slogans during the incident and warned school administrators against conducting Christmas programs on Thursday. Beyond the school grounds, the group reportedly targeted local markets in Nalbari town, where they set fire to holiday goods being sold near the Jain Mandir and entered several shopping malls to destroy Christmas-themed inventory.

Authorities have identified the arrested individuals as VHP Nalbari district secretary Bhaskar Deka, district vice-president Manash Jyoti Patgiri, and assistant secretary Biju Dutta. Nayan Talukdar, the district convenor of the Bajrang Dal, was also taken into custody.

A formal case has been registered at the Belsor police station. While the four key leaders have been detained, investigators are currently working to identify other participants involved in the vandalism. Local officials stated that the investigation is ongoing to ensure all those responsible are held accountable for the disruption.

With inputs from PTI