Assam: Lachit Sena leader Shringhal Chaliha booked for ‘hate speech’, tension rise
Guwahati: Tension prevailed in upper Assam's Sivasgar following the filing of an FIR against Shringhal Chaliha, a Bir Lachit Sena firebrand leader.
The complaint, lodged by Gaurav Somani, accused Chaliha of making inflammatory and threatening remarks targeting the Marwari, Bhojpuri, and Bengali communities residing in the state.
Undeterred by the legal proceedings, Shringhal Chaliha has vowed to face imprisonment for his alleged advocacy of indigenous Assamese rights.
He has also challenged the jurisdiction of the Dispur police station to entertain a complaint filed by a non-Assamese individual.
Expressing concern over the complaint, ULFA (I) has urged Somani to withdraw it. In a statement, the group warned that the entire community would face consequences if the FIR is not withdrawn.
Meanwhile, Sivasagar town witnessed a massive protest on Monday, with members of over 30 organizations taking to the streets in solidarity with Jimmy Das, a national-level sportsperson who was allegedly assaulted by a group of 'outsider' traders.
The protesters demanded a change in the name of the lane where these traders operate their businesses.
The incident has ignited tensions in the region, with the issue of indigenous rights and the alleged influx of outsiders once again coming to the fore.