"Was attacked by VHP members," man lodges FIR in Silchar Sadar; "Pre-planned conspiracy to defame us," VHP president 

Visva Hindu Parishad along with several other organisations carried out a massive bike rally today in Silchar as a mark of protest against the violence unleashed on Hindus in Bangladesh. Leaders of the VHP raised “Jai Shree Ram” slogans and marched on the roads. They delivered high decibel speeches near Khudiram Bose’s statue and then ended the rally by handing over a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India through the deputy commissioner’s office.

The rally was heavily guarded by Police forces and yet reports of violence have emerged from a few parts of the town. Kalain resident, Jabir Ahmed Barbhuiya lodged an FIR at Silchar Sadar Police Station stating that he was assaulted by a few boys wearing saffron clothes attacked him from behind and assaulted him with a bottle. According to his FIR, the incident took place when he was on his way from Capital Travels Point to Janiganj – somewhere near Narsing School.

Santanu Naik, president of VHP Cachar denied the organisation’s involvement in any such assault. “We did not take that route. Our bike rally was never supposed to reach that point and it did not. This is nothing but a pre-planned conspiracy to defame Viswa Hindu Parishad. Deputy Commissioner of Cachar called me to ask about the incident, I have communicated the same to her. We took permission for the bike rally and mentioned the route. Capital Travels point is not in our road plan and she is well aware of that,” said Naik.

He added, “Last night, the deputy commissioner of Cachar called for an emergency meeting at night and we cooperated. There we assured them that we will not do anything that might breach peace and tranquillity. Such a huge bike rally was carried out today but throughout it was organised. We passed through several Muslim institutions and individuals and there was no untoward incident whatsoever. Yesterday, we made it clear that the administration should keep an eye on third-party elements who might attempt to create tension. Today too I will reiterate, the administration must investigate the involvement of a third party in this assault. It is similar to the incident that occurred in Bangladesh where the Quran was kept at the feet of Hanuman.”

While Naik ruled out the involvement of VHP, there is footage of young boys wearing saffron clothes and causing nuisance near Capital Travels. The protesters forced a couple of reporters to delete the footage too. However, if these protesters are associated with VHP or any other organisations is something that remains unknown.

Cachar’s Superintendent of Police Ramandeep Kaur said, “We have lodged an FIR and will investigate the matter. The location that is mentioned in the FIR is not in the route of the bike rally. We will investigate to figure out who is behind the attack.”

This incident is being widely shared on social media platforms. Deputy Commissioner of Cachar, Keerthi Jalli while speaking with Barak Bulletin said, “We are taking the legal course. Request the public to not be swayed by emotion. Police and administration are already cognizant of the issue. I am getting tremendous support from all communities to ensure peace sustains. Let us not give in to emotion.”