Guwahati: Guwahati Police on Saturday detained two youths for allegedly defacing a public wall while creating a portrait of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.
The incident came to light when a police patrol noticed the pair working on a wall near the road leading to the Jyoti-Bishnu International Auditorium on Friday night.
During questioning, the youths reportedly admitted they were painting Wangchuk’s portrait, which remained unfinished when they were stopped.
Police shifted both of them to Dispur Police Station and registered a case in connection with the incident. Officials said the two would be released after completing the legal formalities, including the issuance of a notice.
Meanwhile, investigators have opened another case against unidentified persons over a separate portrait of Wangchuk painted on a pillar of the Basistha flyover. Efforts are underway to identify those responsible, police said.
A police officer said unauthorised paintings on flyovers, walls and other public structures have become more frequent, prompting authorities to take a stricter approach to such incidents.
He warned that anyone found defacing or damaging government property could face stronger legal action in future, including imprisonment under applicable laws.
The crackdown follows a July 10 announcement by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who said paintings on flyovers and other public infrastructure would not be permitted without prior approval and directed officials to proceed against violators.
The Chief Minister’s statement followed public criticism after a mural of late singer Zubeen Garg was removed from the Ganeshguri flyover as part of a city beautification exercise. Sarma later said the state government had never instructed officials to remove the artwork.