GUWAHATI: Several persons were injured in a clash between Congress and BJP supporters in the Pandu area of Maligaon on Wednesday night, April 1. The incident happened when the Congress supporters were campaigning for the party's candidate Bidisha Neog from the Jalukbari constituency for the April 9 Assam assembly elections.
The seat is held by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
One Dead as 7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Indonesia, Tsunami Alert Lifted
The Congress alleged that the incident happened after the campaign was blocked by BJP supporters. The ensuing clash resulted in injuries to several party workers and damage to vehicles used in the campaign.
Eyewitness accounts and party workers claimed that the clash broke out suddenly, leading to chaos in the area. A Congress worker, recounting the incident to the media, alleged that a small group of individuals attacked their convoy. “There were five to six people. They attacked our convoy while we were busy campaigning for Bidisha. They broke our car windows and assaulted us. We somehow managed to escape,” the worker said.
The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee has condemned the incident and urged the administration and Election Commission to take stern action against the guilty.
Officials from Jalukbari Police Station have refrained from issuing a detailed statement regarding the incident. However, police sources confirmed that the altercation involved members from both parties. They added that a proper inquiry is currently underway to determine the exact cause and sequence of events leading to the clash.
No arrests have been reported so far.
The incident comes amid heightened political activity in the Jalukbari constituency, with campaigning intensifying ahead of the elections. Authorities are expected to step up security measures to prevent further escalation and ensure peaceful campaigning in the days ahead.