Communal clashes in Sonitpur over celebration of Ram Mandir foundation; several injured

Tezpur 6 August:- A communal clash took place on Assam's Sonitpur district after a bike rally was organised by some members of the Bajrang Dal to celebrate the foundation day of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Several people were injured in the incident officials' said.

The police had to fire at least 10 rounds in the air since the situation was going out of hand; also, additional troops were deployed by the administration to bring the situation under control.

Many bikes and other vehicles were burnt and curfew has been imposed in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of Dhekiajuli and Thelamara, officials said.

The incident seems to trigger the sentiments two communities and took place when a number of people were heading towards the Shiv Mandir in Bhora Songiri under Thelamara police station area. They were apparently celebrating with loud music and slogans.

"Locals objected to the group playing loud music in their area. They also asked why the rally was organised when the people were fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. This led to arguments, which eventually turned ugly and a clash started," a senior official said.

Deputy commissioner of Sonitpur district Manvendra Pratap Singh was attacked by the two groups, upon his attempts to control the situation. They threw stones at him and smashed the front windscreen of his official multi-utility vehicle.

"To control the situation, which turned into a communal clash, police first lathi-charged and then fired in the air. We have deployed additional forces after many bikes and other vehicles were burnt," Singh said.

According to reports, several Bajrang Dal members have been injured in the clash.

Also Watch: #NewsMakers: Bharat Bhushan Dev Choudhury, Sec. General Administration, Gov. of Assam, Dispur