17 arrested after Bihu troupe attacked at Durga Puja event in Assam’s Sribhumi

Guwahati: An 11-member Bihu troupe was allegedly assaulted during a Durga Puja idol immersion procession in Assam’s Sribhumi district after a group of people reportedly objected to Assamese songs being performed at the event. Police have arrested 17 people in connection with the incident.

The incident took place during a programme organised by Hindustan Club in Sribhumi, formerly known as Karimganj, in the Barak Valley. According to reports by India Today and The Economic Times, the troupe had been invited to perform at the event. A confrontation reportedly broke out after some people objected to the Assamese songs, and the situation subsequently turned violent.

Several performers sustained injuries. Traditional musical instruments, including a dhol and a pepa, were reportedly damaged, while some instruments were allegedly taken away. A gold chain belonging to one of the young performers was also reported missing. These allegations have yet to be independently established by investigators.

Assam Police initially arrested 13 people in connection with the assault. Four more people were arrested overnight, taking the total number of arrests to 17, according to Assam Police Director General Harmeet Singh’s statement on Monday. India Today reported that the first 13 accused had been granted bail.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma condemned the incident and directed the DGP to ensure immediate action against those responsible. He described the attack as deeply disturbing and said the state would not tolerate insults to its culture and heritage.

The incident has triggered concern across Assam and renewed attention to linguistic sensitivities in the Barak Valley, where Bengali is widely spoken. Student organisations have called for accountability, while voices across the state have urged people not to let the incident deepen divisions between Assamese- and Bengali-speaking communities.

Police said further investigation was underway.