Desk Report, January 24, 2024 – In the aftermath of a clash between Congress supporters and Assam Police during Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra on January 23, an FIR has been registered against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, Kanhaiya Kumar, and others. The incident, marked by allegations of violence, provocation, and damage to public property, prompted the Assam Police to file charges under non-bailable sections including Assault on public servant, Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from duty, and Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter public servant from duty.
The FIR, registered under sections 120(B)143/147/188/283/353/332/333/427 IPC R/W Sec. 3 of PDPP Act, outlines the serious charges brought against the Congress leaders. Earlier in the day, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed concerns on social media, accusing the Congress leaders of wanton acts of violence, provocation, and assault on police personnel. The clash occurred after the Assam Police, following the Chief Minister’s directive, halted the yatra’s entry into Guwahati, leading to protests from Congress workers.
Sarma criticized Rahul Gandhi for allegedly provoking the crowd, violating guidelines, and causing a massive traffic jam in Guwahati. The Chief Minister directed the Assam DGP GP Singh to register a criminal case against Gandhi, urging the use of social media footage as evidence.
The clash in Guwahati unfolded as supporters of Rahul Gandhi clashed with the police during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’s re-entry into Assam. The government’s denial of permission for the yatra to use main routes inside Guwahati led to heightened security at Khanapara, the city’s entry point. The visuals from the scene depicted Congress supporters engaging in altercations with police personnel and attempting to break barricades, while Rahul Gandhi observed from a distance.
