APCC Holds Crucial Press Meet at Rajiv Bhawan Over Goon Attack on Congress Convoy and Journalists in Samaguri : Dr. Jayprakash Das and Bedabrata Bora Strongly Condemn Police Administration and Election Commission.
Dalim Phukam
Hills Live News, Guwahati, Sept 22: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) addressed an emergency press conference today at Rajiv Bhawan, Guwahati, regarding the barbaric attack that took place in the Borma-Kawaimari area during a Congress roadshow heading from Samaguri to Lorimukh for the Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency by-election campaign.
Detailing the incident, Bedabrata Bora, Chairman of the APCC Media Department, stated that while traveling from Samaguri to Lorimukh, hired BJP goons launched a vicious attack using bottles, stones, and bricks on the Congress convoy carrying MP Rakibul Hussain, MP Gaurav Gogoi, Leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Wazed Ali Choudhury, Mahila Congress President Mira Borthakur, Congress candidate Sibamoni Bora, and several MLAs at Kawaimari. In this attack, All India Congress Committee (AICC) Secretary Manoj Chauhan sustained serious injuries to his chest and abdomen, while Mahila Congress President Mira Borthakur suffered head injuries. Around four vehicles, including the one carrying MP Gaurav Gogoi and candidate Sibamoni Bora, were severely vandalized.
Expressing deep outrage, Congress leaders stated that the APCC President had previously warned the Director General of Police (DGP) and Nagaon Police in writing about potential untoward incidents or electoral violence during the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election, and the local MLA had also apprised the District Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police. Despite these prior alerts, the police and civil administration failed to adopt any security measures. Furthermore, even after the nomination of Sibamoni Bora—a former MLA and a woman candidate representing a national party—was declared valid, she was denied the security cover she was officially entitled to.
Addressing the press conference, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Dr. Jayprakash Das, strongly condemned the Home Department and police administration, remarking that whether a Home Department or police force even exists in Assam has become a serious question. He stated that while the general public anticipated such violent incidents during the election, the police remained completely passive, proving that the Home Department has utterly failed. He alleged that the police acted as mute spectators when masked miscreants attacked leaders on the campaign trail and failed to protect the candidate. He remarked that the police are capable of shooting individuals in custody, yet they prove powerless when it comes to curbing such thuggery. He further lamented that because top police officials are preoccupied with appeasing the Chief Minister, Assam’s law and order has degenerated into a shameful state reminiscent of the dark days of Bihar and UP. The Congress leaders challenged the BJP and the Election Commission, asserting that if the ruling party cannot allow the opposition to campaign freely, they should abandon the pretense of conducting elections and directly declare their own candidate victorious.
The party also strongly condemned the assault and manhandling of journalists covering the election campaign in Samaguri. Pointing out that journalists were forced to stage protests on the streets, Congress stated that a government incapable of protecting the fourth pillar of democracy should issue helmets and bulletproof vests to journalists reporting from Nagaon. Demanding a high-level inquiry, the leaders questioned whether this attack took place under the directions of influential minister Pijush Hazarika. The Congress also sharply criticized the Chief Minister’s tendency to target journalists based on their religion or surname. Additionally, the party demanded an impartial investigation and strict punishment regarding the incident where police assaulted a fan at a concert of artist Zubeen Garg, while also terming the derogatory remarks made against Zubeen Garg by a ruling party MLA as deeply unfortunate.
During the press meet, Dr. Das announced that the APCC is organizing a mega youth symposium titled ‘Yuva Sanglap: Youth Conclave 2026’ on burning issues facing Assam on September 23 at Sri Sri Madhavdev International Auditorium, Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, Guwahati, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Over 671 individuals have already registered online for the conclave, which will feature panel discussions across three critical themes:
Education and Employment: Keynote speaker Kanhaiya Kumar, alongside panellists Tridiv Bhagabati, Mujahidul Islam, Madhurima Phukan, and Gaurav Kayastha.
Climate Change vs. Development: Keynote speaker and renowned environmental activist Rituraj Phukan, along with youth panellists.
Assam’s Culture: Our Culture, Our Identity: Keynote speaker and eminent music director Manas Robin, alongside panellists artist Nilim Mahanta, Agnideep Sharma, Delhi University scholar Sukanya Dutta, and Diganta Bharati.
The Congress appealed to students, youth, and intellectuals across the state to actively participate in the conclave. The press conference was also attended by APCC General Secretary (Administration) Bipul Gogoi and APCC Social Media Department Chairman Rituparna Konwar.