Army conducts flag march in Assam’s Sonitpur after clashes over Ram temple celebration

TEZPUR (ASSAM): The Army on Thursday conducted a flag march in the troubled areas of Sonitpur district, which witnessed clashes between two communities after a bike rally was organised by Bajrang Dal activists to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ram temple in Ayodhya, officials said.
An indefinite curfew has been clamped in areas under the jurisdictions of Thelamara and Dhekiajuli police stations in the district, they said.
Sonitpur Additional Superintendent of Police, Numal Mahata, told PTI that Army personnel conducted a flag march on the district administration’s request.
“We have already detained two persons for questioning. There was no report of any untoward incident since last night. The situation is fully under control,” he said.
Mahata also said around 10 people from both sides suffered injuries.
The Bajrang Dal, however, claimed at least 12 of its activists were injured.
Meanwhile, sources said Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Gyanendra Pratap Singh, has been asked to visit the disturbed areas to assess the situation and he is already on his way.
Sonitpur Superintendent of Police, Mugdhajyoti Dev Mahanta, has also been camping at the spot since Wednesday evening.
The clashes broke out when the bike-borne activists were on their to a temple at Bhora Singori, playing loud music and mouthing slogans.
A senior official said locals objected to the booming music and questioned the presence of such a large gathering amid the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to strife.
—PTI

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