Guwahati: Congress workers, police clash over denied entry for Rahul Gandhi's yatra
PTC Web Desk: Tensions escalated in Guwahati on Tuesday as clashes ensued between Congress workers and the police, sparked by the denial of permission for Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra to traverse the city's main routes. The conflict unfolded after the Assam government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, directed the yatra to avoid the city and take the Guwahati bypass instead. The police intervened, preventing the yatra from entering the city, leading to protests from Congress supporters.
Images from the scene depicted Congress supporters, many waving party flags, grappling with the police and attempting to breach barricades while Rahul Gandhi observed from a distance. Speaking to a gathering after the incident, Rahul Gandhi said, "Bajrang Dal and JP Nadda ji's rallies were taken through this route. But they are stopping us. We Congress workers are strong, we have broken barricades but will not break the law."
The Congress had originally planned for the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra to traverse central Guwahati, but the authorities cited potential traffic disruptions and concerns about law and order as grounds for rerouting. This decision resulted in a substantial police presence at the Khanapara crossing, the city's entry point, where scuffles erupted between Congress supporters and law enforcement.
Leaders from the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) contended that they were compelled to alter their route due to being prohibited from entering Guwahati town.
The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, progressing through the Northeast, has encountered several hurdles in BJP-ruled Assam. Rahul Gandhi was denied entry to the shrine at Sankardeva's birthplace in Nagaon district. Furthermore, an interactive session with students at the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya, was canceled after local authorities withdrew permission.
The Congress party has accused the Assam government of creating unwarranted obstacles for the yatra and has alleged targeted attacks against their convoys and leaders. The clash in Guwahati highlights the escalating tensions between the Congress and the ruling government in Assam, as political maneuvers and protests unfold amid the ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. As the situation unfolds, it underscores the challenges faced by opposition parties in conducting political activities in certain regions, contributing to the broader narrative of political discord in the country.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has instructed the filing of a criminal case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, alleging that he "provoked the crowd" during a clash between Congress workers and police on the outskirts of Guwahati on Tuesday. Sarma took to Twitter after the incident, accusing Rahul Gandhi and his party members of engaging in "unruly behavior" and employing "naxalite tactics."
He stated, "These actions are not in line with Assamese culture, as we are a peaceful state. Such 'naxalite tactics' are entirely unfamiliar to our culture. I have directed @DGPAssamPolice to initiate a case against your leader @RahulGandhi for inciting the crowd, and we will use the footage you have shared on your handles as evidence."
— With inputs from agencies
-
