Assam: Case Registered Against Bajrang Dal Members For Organising Arms Training Camp

The members of Bajrang Dal allegedly received training in different forms of martial arts, handling firearms besides learning lessons on quick thinking, politics and  spirituality.

The camp was held at a school in Assam's Darrang district.

Source : Pallav Bora

Assam Police have registered a case against members of Rashtriya Bajrang Dal for conducting am arms training camp at a school in Assam's Darrang district. The case was registered under Section 153A/34 IPC (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, and doing acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony).

The top brass of Assam Police on Monday directed the Darrang police to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.

"Reference Mangaldai video - SP @Darrang Police has been instructed to register a case under appropriate sections of law & investigate the matter and take lawful action," Assam police chief Gyanendra Pratap Singh tweeted.

On Monday, a video surfaced on social media platforms showing around 350 youths being allegedly imparted arms training at a school in Mornoi village. The training camp took place between July 24-30.

The members of Bajrang Dal allegedly received training in different forms of martial arts, handling of firearms, survival skills besides learning lessons on quick thinking, politics and  spirituality.

Reacting to the viral video, president of Rashtriya Bajrang Dal, Assam, Dinesh Kalita said, "We organised a camp in Darrang district from July 27 with 400 karyakartas from across 28 districts of the state undergoing training in various forms. They were trained in different forms of martial arts, including the use of swords, archery and small firearms to counter the enemies."

Kalita said discussions were held on how to make "India a Hindu Rashtra" and how to counter "love jihad" as well.

"We roped in experts to train the karyakartas. Our motive is to celebrate 'Akhand Bharat Diwas' in the days to come. We were told by both the Central as well as state government that there will be a strict law against love jihad but it has been seven years, and no such law has been enacted," Kalita said.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and leader of the opposition in Assam Assembly Debabrata Saikia, in a letter to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, demanded action against the organisers and an impartial inquiry into the role of the district administration in the matter. 

The state government is monitoring the situation closely.