Cong protest in Assam turns tragic; advocate dies amid police action
A Congress worker, Mridul Islam, lost his life on Wednesday following a massive protest organized by the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) in Guwahati.
A Congress worker, Mridul Islam, lost his life on Wednesday during a massive protest organised by the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) in Guwahati.
The demonstration that was part of the nationwide “Raj Bhavan Chalo” campaign turned violent when police fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
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The protest that addressed a range of issues, including the installation of smart meters, the BJP-led government’s refusal to discuss the Manipur crisis in Parliament, corruption allegations against the Adani Group, and the proposed “One Nation, One Election” Bill began at around 11 am with hundreds of Congress members and
supporters marching towards the Raj Bhavan at Kharguli.
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The protestors carried microphones, placards, and flags, chanting slogans such as “BJP go back,” “Adani down-down,” and “Remove smart meters.”
The march was halted near the IOCL Water Intake Plant, where police resorted to tear gas shelling to disperse the protesters.
Islam, exposed to the tear gas shell, was rushed to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for treatment but succumbed to his injuries, confirmed Bedabrata Borah, head of the Congress’ media cell.
In the aftermath of his death, several top Congress leaders, including Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia, APCC Chief Bhupen Borah, senior leader Ripun Bora, and others, were detained by the police. Many protesters were reportedly loaded onto buses and taken to undisclosed locations.
APCC Chief Bhupen Borah condemned the police action, describing it as a “blatant display of police dadagiri.” He vowed that Congress would “uproot the lotus from Assam and India.”
The death of Islam has sparked widespread outrage among congress workers, with leaders and supporters demanding accountability for the police action.
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