Alleged Scuffle Between Dimasa And Bengali Communities Halts Durga Idol Immersion In Cachar’s Harinagar

Tension gripped the Harinagar Bajar area of Joypur under Lakhipur Co-District in Cachar after the immersion of two Durga idols was halted on Friday night (October 3) following an alleged violent scuffle between members of the Dimasa and Bengali communities.

According to the press statements recorded so far, the immersion procession of two Puja Committees — Harinagar Bazar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee and Harinagar Hospital Road Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee — was allegedly stopped midway by a group allegedly belonging to the Dimasa community. The situation escalated when a man identified as Jyotish Barman, allegedly a resident of Haflong, was seen brandishing a gun during the confrontation.

Members of the Puja Committee claimed that in the ensuing chaos, the Durga idol was vandalised, with the hand of Goddess Durga broken and nearby shops damaged.

“Yesterday when we went for the immersion of the Durga idol, we were stopped by some Dimasa people, with the main culprit being Jyotish Barman, who is associated with anti social or terrorist organisations from Haflong. They vandalised the idol and wreaked havoc on the shops,” said a member of the Harinagar Bajar Puja Committee.

Other locals alleged that Jyotish Barman is a militant who frequently visits the area to create unrest.

Following the incident, FIRs were lodged by both the Puja Committees around 1 AM, demanding immediate arrest of the miscreants. However, as no arrests were made within the stipulated time, both committees refused to immerse their idols.

The situation further worsened after Dimasa individuals allegedly claimed that Harinagar Bazar does not belong to Cachar but to Dima Raji. In protest, all shops in the area have remained closed.

Angry members of the Puja Committees have demanded Rs. 10 lakh compensation for the vandalism and immediate arrest of the accused, threatening to continue their agitation until justice is served.

“Police come and ask us to hold a procession opposing them. Have our rights fallen so weak? We are from Cachar. If they dare, they can fight us hand-to-hand. We want blood for blood,” one committee member said, expressing outrage.

Speaking to Barak Bulletin, Cachar’s Senior Superintendent of Police Numal Mahatta said that police are closely monitoring the situation, with additional forces deployed to maintain peace. “We are trying to solve the issue amicably. The matter will be investigated further and the officers are on the ground assessing the situation,” SSP Mahatta stated.

It may be recalled that earlier in August, following a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) between the Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA), the Union Government, and the Government of Assam, demands were raised to merge 19 villages of Cachar with Dima Hasao district. Whether Friday’s incident is linked to that development remains to be investigated. The police are also probing if the named accused, Jyotish Barman, has any connection with the DNLA.