Violence rocks Assam's Samaguri ahead of by-elections; CM Himanta blames Congress

Violence erupts in Assam's Samaguri ahead of by-elections, with BJP and Congress supporters clashing, leading to gunshots and injuries.

Incidents of violence rocked Assam's Samaguri Assembly constituency where by-elections will be held on November 13 with both the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress alleging that gunshots were fired targeting each other's supporters over the last 24 hours, police said on Sunday (November 10, 2024).

It was also alleged that three journalists who went to cover the violence, which happened on Saturday, were manhandled by Congress supporters.

Also read | Congress not bothered about poll results, just wants to stop Assam’s development, claims Himanta Biswa Sarma

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma slammed the Congress for "resorting to violence under cover of darkness" to intimidate BJP workers, stating that no one would be allowed to sabotage or undermine the democratic process.

"We got reports that an incident of firing took place at Mari Puthikhaiti village in Samaguri. BJP workers alleged that a shot was fired from the house of one Congress worker aiming at ruling party MLA Jitu Goswami's vehicle," a police officer said.

In the vehicle, Mr. Goswami and BJP leader Suresh Bora were travelling, although no one had been injured in the firing, he said.

"On the other hand, Congress workers alleged that the party's former anchalik panchayat member Ismail Hussain's son Imam Uddin was shot at by BJP workers, injuring him in the leg," the officer said.