GUWAHATI: Following a violent clash during a Congress rally in Assam's Nagaon district on October 15, where the party claims its convoy was attacked by BJP "goons," the state Congress unit has formally written to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Rajiv Kumar.
The Congress has accused the local police of working in collusion with the ruling BJP, stating that this undermines the integrity of the upcoming elections, calling it "detrimental to the free and fair election."
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In the letter, the Assam Congress highlighted the alleged partiality of Nagaon Superintendent of Police (SP) Swapneel Deka, along with the officers in charge of Rupahi and Khatowal police stations, Sanjib Kumar Roy and Biku Barman, respectively. The party demanded their transfer, arguing that no action had been taken even after an FIR was filed on Tuesday.
The incident occurred shortly after the Election Commission of India announced by-elections for five legislative constituencies in Assam. The Congress has stated that the rally in question had been organised with proper administrative permission. Despite this, the party claims the BJP workers carried out the attack, stressing that such acts "will not be tolerated."
The Congress warned that the prevailing hostile environment could deter voters from participating in the election. Despite their efforts to meet with the Assam Director General of Police (DGP) and the state's Chief Secretary to discuss the issue, the party said they received no response.
Detailing the attack in the letter, the Assam Congress wrote: "On 15.10.2024, a convoy of MLAs belonging to the Indian National Congress was brutally attacked by the goons of the ruling party. The delegation of MLAs met with the Superintendent of Police, Nagaon on 15.10.2024 requesting him to take prompt action and several FIRs were also lodged. But, nothing has been done as of now which encourages the goons to attack the office bearers and workers of INC."
The letter further accused the police of bias, stating: "Now, the atmosphere is totally detrimental to the free and fair election due to the biased and partisan role of the Superintendent of Police, Nagaon as well as Officer-in-Charges of Rupahi and Khatowal Police Station. Therefore, the police officials namely Swapneel Deka, SP, Sanjib Kumar Roy, OC and Biku Barman, OC are required to be transferred from Nagaon District forthwith to ensure the free and fair election of Samaguri LAC."
On Tuesday, reports emerged of an attack on a Congress rally heading to Singimari in the Samaguri constituency, where by-polls are scheduled. The mob, reportedly consisting of 40 to 50 people armed with bamboo sticks and sharp weapons, attacked the convoy of Congress MLAs and other vehicles on the road. "We were in our vehicles when after crossing Sadoria, a mob of about 40 to 50 people, armed with bamboo sticks and sharp weapons, emerged from nowhere and attacked our vehicles. They didn't even spare other vehicles on the road. We’ve registered a case against certain individuals we’ve identified and want the law to take exemplary action,” said Rupohihat MLA Nurul Huda, who was part of the rally.
Videos of the attack circulated online, showing youths vandalising vehicles. Following the incident, Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain, Batadraba MLA Sibamoni Bora, and Nurul Huda lodged an FIR seeking action against the attackers.
