Congress Seeks Action Against Nagaon Election Officer After Convoy Attack

Congress Demands Removal of Nagaon Election Officer

Guwahati, Sept 23: Following an alleged attack on a Congress convoy during the campaign for the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has formally requested the Election Commission of India (ECI) to remove the Nagaon District Commissioner and District Election Officer (DEO) from their election duties to ensure a fair electoral process.

In a letter addressed to the ECI, the APCC expressed strong disapproval of a press release issued by the Nagaon DEO on September 22, which characterized the incident at Borma Bazar on September 21 as a "sudden and completely unforeseen occurrence."

According to the letter, the APCC raised significant concerns regarding the impartiality of the District Commissioner and DEO, citing not only the alleged attack but also the prior warnings and the manner in which the incident was reported.

The party urged the ECI to conduct an independent investigation into the matter through its observers or other suitable means, stating that it has "lost confidence in the neutrality" of the current Nagaon DC-cum-DEO.

Additionally, the Congress party requested that the ECI replace the officer with a senior official who is perceived as neutral and fair by all contesting parties to oversee the remaining electoral process.

The APCC further contested the DEO's description of the event, asserting that the district administration had been forewarned about a potential attack on its leaders and supporters.

"The incident was not unexpected—the administration had been repeatedly informed in advance," the APCC stated, noting that Congress leader and Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain had alerted the Nagaon Deputy Commissioner about a planned gathering and a potential attack on the Congress convoy at Borma Bazar.

According to the letter, Hussain had also informed the Nagaon DC that stones and other projectiles were allegedly being stockpiled around Borma Bazar. The DC reportedly reassured him, saying, "Please don’t worry. Please come, all arrangements have been made."

The letter claimed that Hussain had communicated multiple times with Additional SP Rosy Talukdar, warning her about concerns that BJP supporters and individuals linked to anti-social elements were gathering with stones and other materials to attack Congress leaders and workers on their way to the authorized meeting venue.

In light of these circumstances, the APCC argued that the DEO's characterization of the incident as a "sudden skirmish" warranted an independent review.

"If necessary, we can provide the call logs of our leader Shri Rakibul Hussain to the Commission to verify the number and timing of calls made to these senior officials," the letter indicated.

The Congress party also disputed the DEO's account that stones, eggs, and bottles were thrown during an unexpected stone-pelting incident, with some allegedly "accidentally" hitting vehicles.

The APCC reported that several vehicles were damaged, with broken glass and injuries to individuals present at the scene. They challenged the DEO's claim that "no harm was caused to the occupants of the car," referencing injuries sustained by AICC secretary Manoj Chauhan and Congress leader Mira Borthakur.

Furthermore, the party contested the DEO's assertion that there was "no distinct leader leading the charge," alleging that they had information implicating BJP leader Mujibur Rahman in the incident.

Previously, the Congress convoy was reportedly attacked with stones while en route to a public meeting at Barma in Samaguri during the Nagaon bypoll campaign.

The convoy included notable figures such as Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain, APCC president Gaurav Gogoi, CLP leader Wazed Ali Choudhury, Mahila Congress president Mira Borthakur, party candidate Sibamoni Bora, and several MLAs.

In response to the chaos, police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd, and security forces were deployed to restore order.

Congress leaders have attributed the attack to the BJP, with the party's Assam in-charge Bhupesh Baghel alleging that the incident was intended to instill fear and hinder Congress leaders from campaigning. Reports indicate that both Chauhan and Borthakur sustained injuries.