Samaguri violence: Congress stages protest at Rupahihat, demands police to be impartial

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 19, 2024

More than 2,000 leaders, workers, and supporters of the Congress party staged a protest in Rupahihat, Nagaon district, to voice their dissatisfaction with the police’s inaction regarding pre-poll violence that occurred in the area on October 15.

The protest aimed to hold authorities accountable for failing to apprehend the culprits responsible for the violence leading up to the elections in the Samaguri constituency.

Originally planned to take place in front of the Rupahihat police station, the Congress party members were forced to shift their demonstration to the main street of Rupahihat town. This change was prompted by the heavy presence of police and paramilitary personnel surrounding the police station, likely in anticipation of the protest.

The protest in Rupahihat was led by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Kumar Bora, along with notable party members, including MPs Pradyut Bordoloi and Rakibul Hussain, as well as MLAs Sibamoni Borah and Nurul Huda. Over 2,000 party workers and supporters joined the demonstration to demand justice for the pre-poll violence.

The incident that sparked this protest occurred on October 15, when a group of BJP activists allegedly attacked a convoy of Congress leaders in Bortol, which falls under the jurisdiction of Rupahihat police station. The attack resulted in damage to vehicles owned by MLAs Sibamoni Borah and Nurul Huda. Despite the seriousness of the incident, no arrests were made in connection with the attack, even after MLA Borah lodged an FIR with the Rupahihat police hours after the incident took place.

Addressing the protest rally, APCC chief Bhupen Kumar Borah called on the police to uphold their impartiality in executing their duties and responsibilities. He expressed frustration over the circumstances that forced the Congress party to relocate their protest from the Rupahihat police station to the main street, citing the heavy presence of police and paramilitary forces around the station.

“Our venue of the protest was Rupahihat police station. But we were compelled to shift the venue due to the heavy presence of police and paramilitary forces in the police station. I appeal to the police to realize the situation and be impartial in their duties,” Borah said.

Targeting the police personnel, Borah further criticized Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, suggesting that he lacks respect for law enforcement. He pointedly remarked that the Chief Minister could “cry out from stage ‘oh police’ oh police,” implying that Sarma’s attitude undermines the integrity and authority of the police force.

Borah asserted that the Congress party serves as a strong voice for the people of Assam and positioned the upcoming by-elections as not just a contest for the party but a broader struggle for the citizens of Assam. He emphasized the sentiment that the elections represent an opportunity to oust the BJP from power due to what he characterized as their misrule.

Further displaying his defiance, Borah expressed that the Congress party is unafraid of attacks from the BJP, stating, “Let BJP goons’ stone fall on me at first, let them damage my vehicle at first,” he said.

Targeting DGP GP Singh, Borah delivered a pointed message: “If there is a fire at your neighbour’s house, the fire may spread to your house also. Our MLA Sibamoni Bora has to shed her blood, but you should know that they are lawmakers. Every Act you are following is made by them in the Vidhan Sabha.”

Borah further asserted that the BJP’s decline would begin in Samaguri, emphasizing that the previous election was not a vote of confidence for Himanta Biswa Sarma but rather for Sarbananda Sonowal.

He accused Sarma of betrayal, suggesting that he had previously turned against both Tarun Gogoi and Sonowal to seize power. Drawing a historical parallel, Borah likened Sarma’s actions to that of Aurangzeb, who imprisoned his father Shah Jahan during Mughal rule, implying a lack of loyalty and integrity in Sarma’s leadership.

“Our protest will continue unless the police assure us that this incident will be probed,” Borah declared, making it clear that the Congress party seeks accountability and justice rather than conflict. He added, “We do not come to fight but to understand,” reiterating the party’s intent to engage constructively with the authorities while demanding action against the perpetrators of the violence.

Prominent Congress leaders, including MPs Pradyut Bordoloi and Rakibul Hussain, joined the protest, passionately condemning the violence and calling for immediate lawful action against the perpetrators. Their presence underscored the party’s collective stance against the recent incidents and its demand for accountability.

In response to the concerns raised by the protesters, the additional superintendent of police assured them that the police would conduct an impartial investigation and take necessary action promptly. The senior police official informed the protesters that three cases had been registered in connection with the incident, and over nine individuals had been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation.

Following this assurance from the police, the protesters decided to conclude their demonstration.