Guwahati, Dec 26: On Christmas Day, activists of right-wing organizations Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal broke into schools and malls in various parts of the country, smashed the decorative items they found, and set them on fire.
People of Assam have called Christmas a "festival of suffering" after Christmas decorations were vandalised and set on fire at a diocesan school in Nalbari district. The Nalbari police on Thursday arrested four people based on a written complaint filed by Father Baiju Sebastian, principal of St. Mary's English School in Panigaon in Nalbari district.
School vandalised: Some unidentified miscreants illegally entered the school and vandalised the premises. They damaged the outer decorations, string lights, plant pots and other items. The damaged items were later set on fire, the principal said in the complaint.
A video of the incident is being circulated on social media, in which the students can be seen shouting slogans like "Jai Shri Ram". They have warned against celebrating Christmas in the school premises. Later, a shop selling Christmas items was also attacked in Nalbari town and some items were set on fire.
Police arrest four: Police have arrested four people in this connection and have registered a case under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 189(2) (unlawful assembly), 324(3) (mischief) 324(4) mischief causing damage to property), 326(F) (mischief by fire, etc.), 329(3) (offence 12) (35 offences) (35 offences) 61(2) (criminal conspiracy).
Mall vandalism: Meanwhile, a case has been registered against unknown persons who vandalised Christmas decorations at a mall in Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur, a police officer said on Thursday.
Magneto Mall was set on fire on Wednesday during the day-long 'Chhattisgarh Bandh' called by pro-Hindu organisations to protest religious conversions. The incident took place. The CCTV footage of the mall showed a group of people entering the mall with sticks and vandalising property.
Based on a complaint filed by the mall staff, a case has been registered against 30-40 unidentified persons under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for voluntary damage, unlawful assembly, common unlawful purpose, rioting and mischief, Raipur Senior Superintendent of Police Lal Umed Singh said.