Congress workers attacked in Assam. opposition demands action

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 18, 2025

In a violent escalation ahead of next month’s panchayat elections, a group of Congress workers was brutally attacked by unidentified miscreants in Jonai, Dhemaji district, on Tuesday morning. The assault left two seriously injured and resulted in significant damage to a vehicle.

The attack occurred around 11.30 AM at Meseki Chapori under the Simen Chapori police station. According to an FIR lodged at the station, the Congress workers were travelling to an election campaign meeting (chinaki parba) when they were ambushed by a group armed with rods and sharp weapons.

Among the injured were Dhemaji District Youth Congress President Rahim Pegu, Jonai Block Congress President Tuniram Doley (65), and party members Banikanta Doley, Rajiv Pegu, and Lakhyanath Padun. The attackers also reportedly harassed a female Congress worker and attempted to kill her, as detailed in the FIR.

The assailants also vandalized a Scorpio vehicle belonging to Bikramjit Ramchiary, an independent candidate who contested the last Lok Sabha elections from Lakhimpur. The FIR has identified eight individuals as perpetrators of the attack.

Despite the official complaint, Congress leaders expressed anger over the lack of immediate police action.

Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia denounced the attack, saying, “In a democracy, every political party has the right to campaign. Such violence is unacceptable.” He urged the state government to ensure a free and fair electoral process and called on the police and civil administration to take swift action against those responsible.

“The government must guarantee a safe political environment where every party can campaign without fear or obstruction,” he said.