1 hr ago
Congress, BJP Clash Over Assam Campaign Attack Claims
Congress leaders said their campaign convoy was attacked in Assam.
They blamed the BJP, the Election Commission and local authorities for not stopping the violence.
Congress said acid was thrown at one car and stones hit another person.
It also said a party official broke his ribs and journalists were beaten.
The returning officer gave a different account about the car, saying its occupants were not hurt.
He said many police officers were present and that an FIR was filed.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the incident was actually a fight between rival groups inside Congress.
The disagreement happened during campaigning for a parliamentary by-election.
Congress accused the Election Commission and BJP of enabling a premeditated attack on its leaders in Assam's Nagaon.
Congress leader Syed Naseer Hussain said a convoy was targeted with acid, stones and physical attacks during the campaign.
Congress said Manoj Chauhan suffered broken ribs and alleged that journalists were also beaten.
Returning officer Aranyak Saikia said 133 police personnel were present, an FIR was filed and no occupants of the targeted car were harmed.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called the incident a clash between rival Congress factions rather than an attack by the BJP.
- Who
- Congress leaders, journalists, police and CRPF personnel were involved; Congress blamed the BJP and election authorities, while Himanta Biswa Sarma attributed the incident to rival Congress factions.
- What
- An alleged attack targeted a Congress campaign convoy, prompting accusations of political collusion and inadequate security.
- Where
- The incident took place in the Samaguri Assembly segment of Assam's Nagaon parliamentary constituency, near the campaign venue at Karaiguri.
- When
- The attack occurred on Monday, with the accusations and official responses issued on Tuesday.
- Why
- Congress said the attack was intended to intimidate its leaders, workers and voters during the by-election campaign; Sarma said it resulted from internal Congress rivalry.
Congress allegations
Official and BJP-linked account
Cause of the incident
Congress allegations
Congress described the attack as organised and premeditated, alleging that the BJP and election authorities were complicit.
Official and BJP-linked account
Himanta Biswa Sarma said the incident was a clash between rival factions within Congress.
Extent of harm
Congress allegations
Congress said a car was targeted with acid, Manoj Chauhan suffered broken ribs, and journalists were beaten.
Official and BJP-linked account
Returning officer Aranyak Saikia said no harm was caused to the occupants of the targeted car and that they reached the meeting safely.
Security response
Congress allegations
Congress alleged that police and a CRPF member failed to protect the convoy and that authorities stood by during the violence.
Official and BJP-linked account
Saikia said 133 police personnel were present, police quelled the attackers and an FIR was registered.
Key facts
- Location
- Samaguri Assembly segment, Nagaon parliamentary constituency, Assam
- Reported attacks
- Congress alleged acid was thrown at a car and stones were used against its leaders.
- Reported injury
- Congress said Manoj Chauhan suffered broken ribs and was receiving hospital treatment.
- Police presence
- Returning officer Aranyak Saikia said 133 police personnel were present.
- Legal action
- An FIR was filed following a complaint by Congress leaders.
- Official account
- Saikia said the car's occupants were safely escorted to the meeting venue and were not harmed.
- Political context
- The incident occurred during an Assam parliamentary by-election campaign.
Quotes
Syed Naseer Hussain
Congress general secretary and Member of Parliament who described the party’s allegations
“At its core, this was a clash between rival factions within the Congress itself…. Political rivalries within a party should never be allowed to spill onto the streets and disturb the peace and harmony of society at large.”
telegraphindia.com
“This implies that the Election Commission, district administration, police, CRPF, the local government and the party in power have all colluded to win an election.”
telegraphindia.com
Aranyak Saikia
Returning officer for the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll
“...No harm was caused to the occupants of the car and they were safely escorted to the meeting venue at Karaiguri on time,”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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