Assam: 'Bajrang Dal' members unsheathe swords in Tinsukia bike rally, several arrested

Tinsukia: Shocking scenes were recorded in Upper Assam's Tinsukia district today as 40-50 youths carried out a bike rally by carrying swords and daos in hand. This rally soon caught the attention of the authorities who stopped these youths and also nabbed a few of them. As per reports, these youths had attended an "astra poojan" organized by the 'Bajrang Dal.'

This strange procession, moving on bikes (a bunch of them expensive Royal Enfields) was stopped by police personnel midway. Around 4 of the youths were arrested and one of them said that he belonged to the Bajrang Dal, a Hindu nationalist organization. Tinsukia locals soon joined in the act, and many were seen thrashing the attendees of the rally and snatching their swords.

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Upon being questioned by police, the nabbed individual has been recorded saying on camera that he had no idea whether a permission had been taken from authorities to carry out the procession. With a bewildered look on his face, he said, "I was simply asked to join the group." This individual confessed that he had attended the Bajrang Dal's ceremony today.

A Bajrang Dal member said that the organization had held an astra poojan (weapon worship). "I have not given permission to any of the youths to take out a bike rally."

"I saw them moving from Thana Chariali area and gave chase. One of the members said that he belonged to the Bajrang Dal. They did not take any permission from anyone and no one knows why they were out in such great numbers on the streets with weapons," said a Tinsukia police personnel who first saw the ceremony.

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