Assam: Bajrang Dal members arrested for imparting arms training at a school in Mangaldoi

Assam police (Darrang) have lodged an FIR against Bajrang Dal for conducting a five-day arms training workshop at a school in Mangaldoi, for the local youth. Two members of the Hindutva organization have been arrested in connection to the case. On August 1, two more have been nabbed by the Assam police.
On July 31, a video showing the local youth participating in an arms training workshop, conducted by Bajrang Dal surfaced on social media, and was widely circulated in Assam. A day later, Debabrat Saikia, LOP Congress, wrote a letter to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, requesting him to take action against the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal for conducting a five-day arms training in a school. He also sought an investigation into the district administration's alleged involvement in facilitating the training.
According to reports, the Bajrang Dal leaders of the state were aware of the five-day workshop being conducted at Maharshi Bidya Mandir School in Mangaldoi, Darrang district. Over 300 local youths were taught handling of arms, martial arts, and were given lectures on arts, spirituality, and politics. Saikia flagged the issue, alleging that the Hindutva organization is trying to disrupt the environment of peace and harmony that prevails in the state.
As reported by The Wire, a Bajrang Dal leader of the state said that these workshops are conducted “regularly” to “counter security threats from illegal immigrants from neighboring countries”.
“Ideally, on the basis of such training, the governor should suggest President’s Rule in the state to the Centre as law and order is a state subject. That the Hindus are particularly feeling insecure in a BJP ruled state also indicates that there is some problem in maintaining law and order”, said Saikia to The Wire.
On August 1, Darrang police tweeted, “Reference video related training by Rashtriya Bajrang Dal at Maharshi Bidya Mandir, Mangaldai, a case has been registered under sections 153A and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.” State director general of police G.P. Singh took to Twitter and said, “Register a case under appropriate sections of law and investigate the matter and take lawful action”. The aforementioned sections of the IPC refer to activities that encourage hostility between various groups based on factors such as religion, race, place of birth, residence, or language, as well as actions that undermine peaceful coexistence. Currently, a thorough police investigation into the incident is underway, and an FIR has been filed against the school authorities too.