By Web Desk
A 15-year-old Muslim boy in Assam was allegedly assaulted by individuals claiming to be members of a right-wing organisation on January 20, after being accused of erasing a ‘Jai Sri Ram’ graffiti outside his school.
The incident, which occurred in the Sadarghat area of Silchar district, reportedly involved the attackers forcing the boy to chant the communal slogan while filming the assault, which was later shared on social media with inflammatory remarks against Allah, The Siasat Daily reported.
The attackers, including students from the victim’s school, accused the boy of erasing the graffiti to write the name of “Allah,” although he consistently denied any involvement. Despite his pleas of innocence, he was allegedly coerced into accepting responsibility for the act. The video’s circulation heightened communal tensions, prompting calls for accountability.
On January 21, the victim’s parents attempted to file an FIR at Sadar Police Station but alleged that the police initially declined to register their complaint, instead seeking a resolution through informal negotiations. The perpetrators were summoned but reportedly released without legal action at first. However, after a local news portal highlighted the incident on social media, senior police officials intervened, leading to the registration of an FIR.
Cachar police subsequently apprehended three juvenile students linked to the assault, confirming that they were in conflict with the law. The accused were sent to a juvenile home and will be presented before the juvenile justice board, which will determine the appropriate course of action based on expert recommendations.
This story was originally published in madhyamamonline.com.