*’Stay Out of Hindu Areas’: VHP Leader Warns Muslims After Young Man’s Arrest in Katigorah Kidnapping Case*

Leaders of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) have issued warnings following the arrest of a young man in connection with an alleged kidnapping in Katigorah, Cachar district. While one representative warned Muslims against entering Hindu areas and threatened severe consequences, another said the organisation would launch protests if such incidents continued.

The accused, identified as Surmanul Haque, a resident of Kalashri village in Katigorah, was arrested by police on allegations of kidnapping a young woman from a different religious community. The woman belongs to the jurisdiction of Panchgram Police Station.

Acting on a complaint from the woman’s family, Panchgram Police conducted a search operation in the Bihara area of Katigorah. During the operation, police rescued the woman and arrested the accused.

Reacting to the incident, the president of the VHP’s Badarpur unit alleged that the case was an instance of ‘love jihad’, a term used by certain groups to allege that Muslim men pursue relationships with Hindu women as part of a religious conversion conspiracy. The allegation has not been established in this case.

It is worth noting that Cachar SSP Partha Pratim Das had clarified to Barak Bulletin in previous cases involving allegations of ‘love jihad’ that the term has no legal standing. He explained that the law focuses on the nature of the alleged crime and any offences committed in connection with it.

One VHP representative reportedly warned, “Muslims, do not put your nose in Hindu areas. Leave your conspiracy, or else the result will be devastating.”

Another representative claimed that they had repeatedly witnessed similar incidents and warned that the organisation would not remain silent if such cases continued. He said they would take up protests against such incidents.

The allegations made by the VHP representatives have not been independently verified. The circumstances surrounding the alleged kidnapping and the claims made by the organisation will need to be examined as the police investigation progresses.