Jorhat, January 19, 2024 – Rahul Gandhi’s Nyay Yatra hit a roadblock in Jorhat town on Wednesday evening, as local police registered a suo moto case against the organizers for allegedly deviating from the approved route and causing disruptions. Chaos erupted when the yatra, led by KB Byju, took an unauthorized detour through the bustling town center, reportedly without prior permission.
The abrupt change in course is said to have triggered a commotion, with accusations that the organizers encouraged the crowd to disregard traffic barricades and even assault on-duty police personnel. The First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Jorhat police paints a disturbing picture, mentioning “stampede/riot-like situations” during the procession.
Sources close to the investigation allege that Byju and others actively instigated the crowd, potentially falling under the purview of criminal conspiracy. The FIR lists a slew of charges against the accused, including:
-Criminal conspiracy (Section 120(B))
-Abetment of an offense (Section 115(II))
-Unlawful assembly (Section 143)
-Rioting (Section 147)
-Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant (Section 188)
-False statement (Section 208)
-Voluntarily causing hurt (Section 323)
-Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty (Section 353)
-Relevant sections of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act
The incident has cast a shadow over the Nyay Yatra’s progress in Assam, raising questions about adherence to regulations and maintaining order during mass gatherings. As investigations unfold, it remains to be seen how these accusations will impact the course of the ongoing yatra.
