Assam Congress Yatra Allegedly Blocked by BJP Supporters, Journalist Assaulted
The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee's ongoing 'Samay Paribartan — Mati Bachao, Jati Bachao' yatra has encountered significant obstructions across the state, with party officials alleging direct interference from supporters of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. For the second consecutive day on Saturday, the political march faced disruptions that escalated into physical confrontations.
Violent Confrontation in Sonitpur District
On the third day of the yatra, a high-level Congress delegation led by APCC president Gaurav Gogoi entered northern Assam's Sonitpur district. The delegation included prominent figures such as AICC general secretary Jitendra Singh, election observer Bandhu Tirkey, AICC Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba, opposition leader Debabrata Saikia, MPs Pradyut Bordoloi and Rakibul Hussain, and several other senior party members.
Accompanied by hundreds of supporters traveling in a specially designed vehicle, the Congress procession reached Bihuguri under the Borsola constituency when they were allegedly obstructed by a group of individuals. According to Congress statements, this group was actively backed by the ruling BJP party.
The situation quickly deteriorated as the alleged BJP supporters attempted to block the yatra's progress and physically attack Congress workers. In a concerning development, journalists covering the event were also targeted, with one reporter assaulted during the confrontation.
Damage and Injuries Reported
The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee released an official statement detailing the incident's aftermath. "Several Congress workers sustained injuries during the altercation, while equipment including a microphone belonging to a satellite news channel was damaged," the statement confirmed. Despite the obstruction, the Congress yatra managed to continue peacefully toward its intended destination.
Political Leadership Condemns Violence
APCC president Gaurav Gogoi strongly condemned the Bihuguri incident, emphasizing the importance of maintaining democratic norms in political competition. "Political differences are natural in our democracy. We may offer sharp criticism of each other on ideological grounds, but taking the law into one's own hands or resorting to physical violence against anyone is completely unacceptable," Gogoi stated.
He further added, "Healthy political competition must always exist, but vindictive attacks targeting even a single individual will never be tolerated in our political culture."
Symbolic Gesture During Yatra
During the course of the political march, Gogoi engaged in a symbolic act by purchasing a basket and broom from a roadside vendor selling bamboo products. He clarified that this purchase was not for personal use but represented a commitment to "clean Assam of the corruption, loot, and violence created by the BJP government."
The 'Samay Paribartan — Mati Bachao, Jati Bachao' yatra continues to traverse Assam amid heightened political tensions, with Congress leaders accusing the ruling party of systematically attempting to disrupt their political outreach efforts through organized obstruction tactics.
