Political Violence Ahead Of The By-Election In Assam
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Guwahati
- Nov 10, 2024
- 351
There is a lot of commotion in the political corridors before the by-election in Assam. Meanwhile, information has come to light that incidents of violence have taken place in Samaguri assembly constituency. Here the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress have made serious allegations against each other. They claim that in the last 24 hours, bullets were fired targeting each other's supporters.
Let us tell you, by-elections are to be held in Assam on November 13. The BJP also alleged that three journalists who went to cover the violence on Saturday were misbehaved by Congress supporters. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma criticized the Congress for resorting to violence under the cover of darkness to intimidate BJP workers and said that no one would be allowed to harm or weaken the democratic process.
A police officer said, "We received information that an incident of firing took place in Mari Putikhaiti village of Samaguri. BJP workers alleged that shots were fired from the house of a Congress worker targeting the vehicle of ruling party MLA Jitu Goswami. Goswami and BJP leader Suresh Bora were travelling in the vehicle, however, no one was injured in the firing."
He further said, "On the other hand, Congress workers alleged that Imam Uddin, son of former party member of zonal panchayat Ismail Hussain, was shot by BJP workers, injuring his leg." He further said that the injured victim Uddin was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and the claims are being verified.
At least half a dozen vehicles were vandalised at several places in the constituency overnight as supporters of the ruling and opposition parties clashed with each other, police said. For the upcoming by-election, the Congress has fielded Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain's son Tanjil as the party's candidate against BJP's Diplu Ranjan Sarma.
CM Sarma said on X, "I strongly condemn the attack on MLA Jitu Goswami in Samaguri by Congress supporters. It is the same Congress that proudly flaunts the Constitution in front of cameras, but resorts to violence under the cover of darkness to intimidate our workers."
Questioning the Congress' stooping so low in this by-election, he said it is not just the fear of defeat, but the desperation to retain its core vote bank that drives them to this extent. "Justice will be done and we will not allow anyone to harm or undermine our democratic process," the CM said.
Condemning the Congress, MLA Goswami demanded punitive action. The BJP candidate said, "I strongly condemn the firing incident. Rakibul Hussain gave a very provocative speech last night, after which there was firing. Now we are going to complain to the Election Commission and demand immediate action."
He also condemned the alleged attack on journalists and said that freedom of the press is paramount in a democracy.
In the demographically sensitive Nagaon district, the BJP is making all-out efforts to snatch the seat, while the Congress is in no mood to give up its bastion at any cost. Hussain, who won the Dhubri Lok Sabha seat this year by a record margin of over 10.12 lakh votes, was the MLA from Samaguri for five consecutive terms before becoming an MP. By-elections will be held in Dholai, Sidli, Bongaigaon, Behali and Samaguri assembly constituencies as these seats fell vacant after their MLAs won the Lok Sabha elections. Voting for the by-elections will be held on November 13 and counting of votes will take place on November 23