The Assam Congress on Monday questioned the security arrangements and police response after a convoy carrying party leaders, including Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll candidate Sibamoni Bora, was allegedly attacked during election campaigning in Samaguri.
The incident took place around 4 pm in the Barama Bazar area when the Congress convoy was travelling towards Lorimukh for an election meeting. The convoy included Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, former Chhattisgarh chief minister and Assam Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel, Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain, Bora and other party leaders.
Congress alleged that stones and other objects were thrown at the vehicles, damaging some of them, and alleged that BJP workers were behind the incident. The allegation has not been independently established. Police and security personnel were subsequently deployed to control the situation, with reports of a lathi charge to disperse the crowd.
Addressing a press conference, Assam Assembly Deputy Leader of Opposition Joy Prakash Das questioned the functioning of the state Home Department and police administration, particularly the security arrangements provided during the campaign.
“Does Assam even have a Home Department and a police administration?” Das asked, alleging that Bora was attacked and her vehicle damaged despite the security arrangements she was supposed to receive.
Das also questioned whether the Nagaon superintendent of police and the director general of police were aware of the situation. “Did the Nagaon SP and the DGP not know about this? We strongly condemn the Home Department,” he said.
Referring to previous incidents in Samaguri, Das questioned why preventive measures were not taken ahead of the convoy’s movement through the area.
“Such incidents have happened in Samaguri before. Why were preventive measures not taken this time?” he asked.
The Congress leader also questioned the role of the Election Commission in ensuring a secure campaign environment and alleged that journalists covering the incident were assaulted by police.
Congress leaders separately alleged that police had been informed in advance about the possibility of a confrontation in the area. Gaurav Gogoi also alleged that the convoy was targeted despite prior alerts to the authorities. The incident reportedly damaged vehicles belonging to Congress leaders, while AICC secretary Manoj Chauhan was reported by the party to have sustained injuries.
A police complaint was subsequently filed at Nagaon Sadar Police Station seeking action against those allegedly involved.
The incident came ahead of the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election scheduled for October 6, with counting set for October 9. It has also renewed attention on campaign security in Samaguri, where clashes between Congress and BJP supporters were reported during the 2024 Assembly bypoll.
