GUWAHATI: The Assam Legislative Assembly turned into a virtual battleground on Monday, March 24 as tensions escalated between the ruling BJP and the opposition. Chaos erupted after BJP accused Congress MLA Nurul Huda of attacking Deputy Speaker Numal Momin just outside the House, while opposition legislators staged protests demanding action against BJP MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi for allegedly attempting to assault them last week.
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The session took a dramatic turn when Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed the House that Deputy Speaker Numal Momin was allegedly attacked by Congress MLA Nurul Huda. “I got a WhatsApp message from Momin that he was attacked by Huda and is now hospitalised. I request the Speaker to file a police case as it happened outside the House and should be investigated,” Sarma said during Question Hour.
Momin was present inside the House for a brief period before leaving. The alleged assault was not witnessed by other members inside the Assembly, but the ruling party demanded strict action.
However, opposition leader Debabrata Saikia countered the Chief Minister’s demand, insisting that instead of a police probe, a House Committee should investigate the matter. “The incident is reported to have taken place within the Assembly premises. A House Committee should be formed to look into it rather than handing it over to the police,” Saikia said.
Congress, AIUDF Protest Against Kurmi
Congress and AIUDF legislators staged a protest inside the Assembly premises, demanding action against Kurmi for his alleged aggressive behaviour towards opposition MLAs inside the House on March 21.
Saikia accused Kurmi of rushing towards opposition members in an attempt to physically attack them and using abusive language. “While disruptions are common, physical aggression is unprecedented and unacceptable. We demand strict action against him,” he stated.
As a mark of protest, Congress legislators attended the session wearing black outfits, while AIUDF MLAs attempted to bring bamboo structures ostensibly to act as shields inside the Assembly. AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam defended their move, claiming that BJP legislators often leave their seats to intimidate and attack opposition members. “The Speaker does not ensure our safety. These bamboo structures were meant for self-protection,” Islam said. However, security personnel prevented them from bringing the structures inside.
Speaker Orders Inquiry
With protests intensifying, opposition members stormed the Well of the House, demanding action against Kurmi and rejecting the ruling party’s claims about the alleged attack on Momin. Speaker Biswajit Daimary intervened and assured that officials would examine the matter.
Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia had earlier directed Kurmi to seek public apology for his action saying it went against the party's discipline.
