Hojai Administration's swift response prevents communal clashes

A CORRESPONDENT

HOJAI: Hojai District Administration’s promptness preserved communal harmony from deteriorating at Borpukhuri and Bhuyanpatty area in Hojai on Sunday. As per information, on the day of Eid-Ul-Zuha on Saturday evening, the situation became tense in the Borpukhuri area in Hojai due to the dumping of beef by some anti-social elements around Hindu religious places. Sensing the seriousness of the situation, the Hojai Police administration showed promptness and pacified both sides.

Reportedly, on Sunday morning, the incident happened again leading to strong reactions among the Hindu community in the Borpukhuri region. Members of the Hindu community blocked the road and protested vehemently against the dumping of the banned meat with slogans like ‘Gau Hatya Bandh Karo’ (Stop Cow Slaughter) and ‘Jai Shri Ram’.

On the other hand, reacting to the protest, people from the other community also protested by blocking the road towards Bhuyanpatty. As the situation went out of control, Hojai Police had to resort to mild lathi charge to disperse the crowd in the Bhuyanpatty area. Hojai Police also arrested one Amir Hussain from Bhuyanpatty.

Notably, District Commissioner Bidyut Bikash Bhagwati accompanied by Superintendent of Police Saurab Gupta, local Legislator Ramkrishna Ghosh, and other officers successfully calmed the communal tension which had erupted between the two communities, through negotiations and appealed to everyone to maintain peace and harmony. Simultaneously, the local residents at Borpukhuri apprised the administration about their problems by submitting a memorandum.

While interacting with media, Hojai District Commissioner Bidyut Bikash Bhagwati said that the district administration was always working to maintain mutual brotherhood in the district and thus appealed to the denizens of Hojai district to contribute to the development of the district by maintaining mutual harmony, tranquillity and peace.

He further said that it was unfortunate that on the holy day of Eid-Ul-Zuha, some anti-social elements tried to spoil the mutual harmony by dumping banned meat (beef) around the temples in Borpukhuri area. He said that the administration interacted with the local people and they submitted a memorandum and apprised them about their problems in detail.  “The situation has been resolved peacefully,” the DC added.

The District Commissioner said that local residents demanded for a police patrolling outpost and street lights in the area and strict steps to prevent such incidents again.

Bhagwati assured that the problems will be resolved after a discussion with the government. At the same time, the problems that can be solved by the district administration at the local level will be solved immediately, he added.

IGP Akhilesh Kumar Singh also visited the spot at the Borpukhuri area. While interacting with the media, he said, “We are rigorously investigating the matter to apprehend the culprits. Only after a detailed inquiry, can anything be said.” He assured that strict action would be taken against the culprits. He also said that there would be police patrolling for the time being and after discussion with the government, a permanent Police Patrol Outpost will be set up.

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