Silchar: AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi accused Bajrang Dal of orchestrating the alleged assault on Bihu artists in Sribhumi, while two more arrests were made in the case on Tuesday.Gogoi made the allegation on Tuesday while visiting injured artists in Adarkona and Bargul villages. He said the incident should not be viewed as a conflict between Assamese and Bengali communities but as an attempt to disturb communal harmony.“This is not a case of Assamese-Bengali enmity. It is the handiwork of evil forces,” Gogoi told the media, alleging that Bajrang Dal instigated the violence.He urged CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to curb Bajrang Dal’s activities and prevent divisions along religious, linguistic and ethnic lines.“If the chief minister fails to act against Bajrang Dal, the people of Assam will soon take to the streets to stop the organisation from dividing Assamese society,” Gogoi added.Police arrested two more people, Dipankar Das and Abhijit Das, taking the total number of arrests to 19.The incident occurred during a Durga idol immersion procession organised by Hindustan Club. Bihu troupe members invited to perform were allegedly assaulted after an altercation with some organisers. Several artistes were injured.Three women staged a dharna in Sribhumi, protesting the arrests of family members. Priti Paul and Ruma Deb alleged that their son and husband, respectively, were falsely implicated. They demanded a fair investigation.Sribhumi police station OC Taranga Patowary assured the protesters of an impartial and evidence-based investigation.
