The Assam Police arrested two persons associated with the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal in connection with the organisation of an arms training camp in the Darrang district, reported news agency PTI. Darrang Superintendent of Police Prakash Sonowal said that the suspects, Bijoy Ghosh and Gopal Boro, both members of the group, were apprehended for their involvement in arranging the camp held at Maharishi Vidya Mandir school premises in Mangaldoi.
"Both have been remanded to judicial custody. We aim to apprehend other individuals implicated in the unlawful arms training camp within the school," he added.
Earlier, on Tuesday, Hemanta Payeng, the school's principal, and Ratan Das, an administrator, were arrested for their roles in organising the arms training, according to Sonowal. "Payeng and Das have been granted bail. Our focus currently lies on locating other members affiliated with the group," the Superintendent of Police emphasized.
A video circulating on social media depicted the purported training camp, where some people were seen receiving instructions in firearms and weaponry, causing widespread condemnation and anger across the state. The Rashtriya Bajrang Dal asserted that the camp had provided training to 350 youths in firearm handling, and martial arts, as well as education in arts, politics, and spirituality during a four-day event held at Maharishi Vidya Mandir school.
A case was registered at Mangaldoi police station under sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups) and 34 (participating in a criminal act with common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, as announced by Darrang Police on Monday.
Meanwhile, Raijor Dal President and MLA Akhil Gogoi wrote a letter to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, raising concerns about whether the training camp was indicative of "preparations for inciting communal clashes" within the state. "Could this lead to disturbances before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls? The role of the Home Department, under your purview, and the actions of the Assam Police have left the citizens of Assam deeply troubled," he was quoted as saying by PTI.
Gogoi also urged the inclusion of more stringent legal provisions such as the National Security Act (NSA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UA(P)A) in this case.
"Mr. Chief Minister, you have taken action against several madrassas due to alleged jihadi activities. Will you not take firm action against Maharishi Vidya Mandir School for hosting an arms camp? Will such discriminatory actions not breed animosity among the populace against the government?" he questioned. Furthermore, the Raijor Dal filed a complaint against Rashtriya Bajrang Dal at Nalbari Police Station for orchestrating the arms camp.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Assembly Debabrata Saikia of the Congress had written to the Chief Minister on Tuesday, demanding punitive measures against the organisers and an inquiry into the district administration's involvement.
The CPI(M), too, expressed the need for the police to investigate how Rashtriya Bajrang Dal managed to conduct firearm training without hindrance. "The threat to peace and harmony in the state is a grave concern. Such incidents have grown in number since the BJP came into power, and the Chief Minister, who has often suppressed opposition protests, remains silent on these overtly communal activities by Rashtriya Bajrang Dal," stated Suprakash Talukdar, the Assam State Secretary of CPI(M).
Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika, however, assured that the police are treating the matter seriously and taking appropriate actions. Agriculture Minister Atul Bora said that "legal process will be followed", PTI reported.
Tourism Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, however, sought to defend the training, stating that it focused on self-defence and was "not problematic" in nature.