Guwahati, March 26: Nahid Afrin's performance at a musical event in Hojai district went off smoothly last night despite the controversy created after the show was targeted by a leaflet with religious overtones.

The first runner-up in the 2015 season of Indian Idol continued to perform on the grounds of Udali Sonai Bibi Junior College past midnight without any disruption.

"The district administration and the police department had left no stone unturned in providing her all-round protection. Everything was under control, and hence the show was a success," said Debojyoti Mukherjee, Hojai superintendent of police.

Sources told The Telegraph that police personnel from two neighbouring districts had been requisitioned to ensure that no untoward incident took place.

The president of the musical event's organising committee, Rezaul Karim Laskar, told The Telegraph that over 3,000 people turned up for the show. He thanked everyone, including those who were opposed to the show, for cooperating.

The musical programme was arranged by the junior college to raise funds for the institution.

The event became the centre of controversy earlier this month after yellow leaflets containing the signatures of 46 individuals, including some clerics, "appealed" to the organisers to cancel the event as the venue was surrounded by mosques and other religious institutions. They claimed the programme could hurt the religious sentiments of the people.

The "appeal" was condemned by many, including Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and support for Nahid started pouring in from several organisations in Assam and Bollywood. Sonowal also assured that security would be provided to the teenaged singer.

Following Sonowal's assurance, the organisers decided to go ahead with the show.

"The people who were behind the leaflet later assured the organisers that the appeal was withdrawn and they had no issues with the event," said Samsul Ahmed, a Hojai-based social worker.

Nahid reached Hojai around 7pm and was taken to Sankardev Nagar circuit house, escorted by another car with security personnel. From the circuit house, she reached the venue at 8.30pm and the event started at 9.30pm. Nahid took the stage around 10.30pm.

Vikash Sharma, who was at the show, said: "The function continued for more than three hours as she sang hit Bollywood numbers and other Assamese songs. The crowd cheered her when she sang her song from the movie Akira."

Nahid left Hojai for her home in Biswanath Chariali, about 180km from the venue, around 1.30am.

Before leaving Hojai, she thanked the people of the state, the government, the media and the organisers for the smooth conduct of the show.