Samaguri clash: Assam Cong demands CEC for punishment transfer of Nagaon SP, 2 other cops

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 16, 2024

The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has called on the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take immediate action against Swapneel Deka, the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Nagaon, as well as the officers-in-charge of Rupahi and Khatowal police stations, Sanjib Kumar Roy and Biku Barman accusing these officials of colluding with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), thereby compromising the fairness of the upcoming by-election in the Samaguri constituency.

The by-election in Samaguri became necessary after former MLA Rakibul Hussain was elected to Parliament in the recent Lok Sabha elections.

In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, through Assam’s Chief Electoral Officer, Anurag Goel, the APCC alleged that the three police officers’ actions were impeding free and fair elections.

The situation escalated after Congress MLAs’ convoy was attacked on October 15 in Rupahihat om Nagaon, en route to a rally in support of Ranjil Hussain for the upcoming bypoll to the constituency. Although multiple FIRs were lodged, the APCC claims no action has been taken, encouraging further attacks on Congress workers.

The attack took place at Nangaldhuwa Bartol, near the border area of Rupahihat constituency. During the clash, five vehicles belonging to Congress workers were damaged, according to sources.

In an FIR lodged with the Officer-in-Charge of Rupahi Police Station, Congress MLA Sibamoni Borah reported that a group of BJP workers, accompanied by hired goons, attacked a Congress delegation on their way to Singimari around noon. According to the FIR, the attackers were armed with weapons and assaulted Congress workers and supporters, also causing significant damage to vehicles and bikes.

The Congress rally, jointly organized by Bajia Block Congress and Laokhowa Block Congress, was held to campaign for the upcoming by-elections in the Samaguri constituency.

The memorandum, signed by APCC president Bhupen Kumar Borah and working president Jakir Hussain Sikdar, expressed concerns over the partisan conduct of the police, creating a hostile environment ahead of the November 13 by-election.

In their memorandum, the APCC emphasized the need for the immediate transfer of the SP from Nagaon district to ensure impartiality in the upcoming by-election in Samaguri, scheduled for November 13.

The APCC argued that without the transfer of the SP, it would be difficult to guarantee that the election process remains fair, as the current law enforcement leadership is allegedly compromising the electoral environment in favour of the ruling party.

On the other hand, BJP candidate Diplu Ranjan Sarma countered these allegations, claiming that it was the Congress who brought in outsiders to incite unrest. Sarma accused Congress members of attacking BJP workers and vandalizing several temporary electoral booth offices set up in the area.