GUWAHATI: Tensions escalated in Guwahati on January 23, as a clash erupted between the police force and Congress workers during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi.
The clash unfolded when Congress workers attempted to breach police barricades set up to restrict the yatra's movement. A significant police presence, including barricades and route blockades, was established to impede the procession. Heavy deployments were observed, especially in the central areas of Guwahati, where the yatra was prohibited. Rahul Gandhi, atop a bus, endeavoured to communicate with his supporters amid the commotion.
According to a source present at the location, GMC organised Swach Bharat Abhiyan for which they had barricaded the roads in Koinadhora from 7AM to 1:30 PM today.
This led to the reported breaching of the barricades by the congress workers. In response to the attempts to breach barricades, the police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the crowd and maintain order. The clash marked a notable incident as the Bharat Jodo Yatra reached Guwahati, drawing attention to the ongoing political dynamics in the region.
Earlier in the day, heightened security measures were enforced at Khanapara Area, the entry point of Guwahati, anticipating the arrival of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.
"We are being stopped everywhere. The Home Minister of the country picked up the phone and called CM Himanta and said that Rahul Gandhi should not meet the students of Assam. That's not important whether Rahul Gandhi comes here or not. What's important is that the students must be allowed to listen to whomever they want to. But it is not happening in any schools and colleges in Assam. You are being told that you cannot speak your language. You are being told that you cannot have your history," media quoted Rahul Gandhi saying.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma also took to X to put out, “ These are not part of Assamese culture. We are a peaceful state. Such “naxalite tactics” are completely alien to our culture.
I have instructed @DGPAssamPolice to register a case against your leader @RahulGandhi
for provoking the crowd & use the footage you have posted on your handles as the evidence. Your unruly behaviour and violation of agreed guidelines have resulted in a massive traffic jam in Guwahati now.”
