Clash between two BJP factions on Holi Day sparks tension in Kailashahar

Kailashahar witnessed unrest on the day of Holi as a clash broke out between two factions of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), leaving the town tense amid allegations and counter-allegations.

The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon, in the Boulapasha area under the Kailashahar Municipal Council  of Unakoti district when residents were celebrating Holi.

Sources said that  the confrontation took place in the early evening. One Amit Das, a resident of Boulapasha, popularly known as Shanta, is an active BJP member and former booth president of Booth No. 41 under the 53-Kailashahar Assembly constituency.

Amit alleged that after spending the day celebrating Holi, he returned home in the afternoon, had his meal, and went to sleep.

He claimed that during the early evening of Wednesday, Sayan Chandra along with four to five youths arrived at his house and called him out. When his wife informed them that he was asleep, they allegedly insisted that he be woken up, citing an urgent matter. After being awakened, Amit came out to meet them. He alleged that Sayan told him to accompany them to the nearby house of one Mithun. However, as he proceeded, he was allegedly assaulted mercilessly.

Amit further alleged that hearing his cries, his wife and 16-year-old daughter rushed to rescue him, but they too were physically assaulted. Meanwhile, local residents reportedly detained a youth named Abhi and handed him over to the police.

Although Amit Das is a former BJP booth president and an active party worker, those he has accused are also said to be active members of the same party.

When contacted for his reaction, Sayan Chandra denied all allegations, terming them “completely false and baseless.” He alleged that Amit Das and some youths launched a pre-planned attack on them. According to Sayan, they were walking along the barbed-wire fencing near the India-Bangladesh international border in the Boulapasha area when Amit and his associates allegedly attacked them without any provocation. He claimed that while they managed to flee, one youth named Abhi was caught and handed over to the police. Sayan stated that they were unaware of the reason behind the alleged attack.

The repeated factional clashes within the ruling BJP have reportedly created a sense of fear among Kailashahar residents. Citizens recalled the January 23 Saraswati Puja incident, when members of two BJP factions clashed openly on the streets, leaving even a Mandal president and party workers injured. The memory of that violence still lingers in the town.

With yet another clash erupting on Holi, anxiety has once again gripped Kailashahar, leaving residents concerned over the deteriorating law and order situation.