Police in Assam have arrested four men linked to Hindu nationalist groups after festive decorations were vandalised at a school and damaged in nearby shops in Nalbari district, triggering swift action by authorities to prevent communal tension.According to police officials, the arrests followed an incident on Wednesday evening when the accused allegedly entered St Mary's School in Panigaon village, under the jurisdiction of Belsor police station, and set fire to decorative items prepared for Christmas celebrations. Festive articles displayed at a few local shops in the area were also damaged during the episode, residents said.
The four men were taken into custody on Thursday after an initial investigation identified them as associates of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, organisations that have a presence across several states. Police said the arrests were made under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita dealing with unlawful assembly, mischief by fire and damage to property, and actions likely to disturb public harmony.
Senior officers said preliminary findings suggest the accused entered the school premises after classes had ended, when staff and students were not present. Decorative stars, lights and other Christmas items were allegedly piled together and burnt. No injuries were reported, but the incident caused alarm in the village, where people of different faiths live in close proximity.
A senior police official in Nalbari said additional personnel were deployed in and around Panigaon as a precautionary measure, while community leaders were contacted to help maintain calm. “The situation is under control. We acted promptly based on evidence and local inputs. There will be no tolerance for acts that threaten communal harmony,” the officer said.
School authorities lodged a formal complaint soon after the incident came to light. Staff members said preparations for Christmas had been underway for several days, with students contributing handmade decorations as part of cultural activities. “These were meant to spread joy among children and the neighbourhood. The damage has deeply upset the school community,” a teacher said, requesting anonymity.
Local shopkeepers whose festive items were damaged told police that a small group had moved through the market area after leaving the school. While the monetary loss was limited, traders said the act created fear. Police teams reviewed CCTV footage from nearby establishments and recorded statements from witnesses as part of the investigation.
The district administration held discussions with representatives of religious groups and civil society organisations on Thursday to prevent escalation. Officials emphasised that the law would take its course and urged people not to circulate unverified claims on social media, which could inflame tensions.
Assam has witnessed sporadic incidents in the past where religious symbols or festival-related displays became flashpoints, often prompting swift administrative intervention. The state government has repeatedly instructed district authorities to ensure protection for all places of worship and educational institutions, particularly during major religious festivals of different communities.
Legal experts said the charges invoked allow police to seek custodial interrogation to establish whether the vandalism was a spontaneous act or part of a coordinated attempt to provoke unrest. Investigators are also examining whether any additional individuals were involved in planning or instigating the act.
Community leaders in Nalbari appealed for restraint, noting the district’s history of peaceful coexistence. “Festivals should be occasions for mutual respect. Acts like this hurt the social fabric,” said a local elder who participated in peace meetings facilitated by the administration.