Assam: Muharram procession turns ugly in Dibrugarh, cars damaged

Tinsukia: A Muharram procession in the upper Assam town of Dibrugarh allegedly turned ugly after some incidents of vandalisation of cars were reported on Tuesday.

The incident came to light after two youths, identified as Pranjal Gogoi and Bijoy Krishna Borah, posted videos and images showing miscreants damaging the cars parked beside a road during a Muharram procession. The images and videos have now gone viral.

The Facebook post shared by Gogoi reads, “Some dangerous visuals during Muharram on Dibrugarh roads. Who has given them permission to celebrate festival by vandalizing vehicles?”

As per sources, two private vehicles (bearing registration numbers AS 06 P 9849 and AS 06 K 7736), were allegedly damaged during the incident.

Speaking with EastMojo, Gogoi, who identified himself as a businessman from Dibrugarh town, said that he got the visuals through WhatsApp. “Who has given these people the right to damage property of others in the name of celebration of festival?” he asked.

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He further said that being a local from the town, he can identify the place, as seen in the visuals, that it is from Dibrugarh.

Expressing concern over the issue, Gogoi said that such incidents can hurt the sentiments of other citizens and further create communal disharmony and tension in society. He also said that the district administration should look into the matter with top priority and arrest those involved in the incident.

Gogoi also said that it was the duty of the committee, which took permission for the procession, to ensure that it was performed in a peaceful manner. “The police should book the committee members for the violence during the procession,” he demanded.

Meanwhile, a case (No. 1523/19) has been registered at the Dibrugarh police station in this regard.

Speaking with EastMojo, Dibrugarh SP Subashini Shankaran said that a case has been registered and the police are taking legal action in due course of time. “We are in the process of identifying and arresting the culprits,” she added.

Muharram is considered as one of the sacred months of the Islamic lunar calendar in which Shia Muslims mourn the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Hazrat Imam Hussain Ali and 72 others in the battle of Karbala by hitting themselves with sharp objects and carrying out “tazia” processions. A “tazia” is a replica of the tomb of Ali.

Apart from the processions, a chunk of the Muslim population here spend the day fasting in remembrance of the poignant martyrdom of Imam Hussain while trying to uphold the virtues of fairness and justice.

(With inputs from Guwahati bureau)