A campaign convoy carrying Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was reportedly targeted with stones and bottles while travelling toward an election rally in Nagaon on Monday. The altercation occurred in the Barma area within the Samaguri constituency, where senior party figures were actively campaigning for the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election scheduled for October 6. Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain and Congress candidate Sibamoni Bora were also part of the campaign tour when the unrest unfolded.
Allegations of Inaction Against Assam Police
Gaurav Gogoi alleged that workers affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party launched stones and bottles directly at the vehicle carrying him and Bhupesh Baghel. Questioning the preparation of the local administration, Gogoi claimed that police authorities had been alerted well in advance about crowd volatility along the route, yet failed to intervene or take preventive security measures. He expressed serious concern over how such violence could break out around a motorcade transporting prominent public figures, including a former state chief minister.
Sharing his reaction publicly on social media, Gogoi stated, “Just now while heading to an election rally in Nagaon, Assam BJP workers attacked the car in which former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and myself were travelling with stones and bottles.” He maintained that authorities allowed tensions to escalate despite receiving prior warnings, while also demanding accountability from the Election Commission of India and the state administration regarding the overall safety of opposition candidates.
Targeted Attacks on Vehicles and Assaults on Media Personnel
Gogoi further claimed that masked individuals hurled stones at vehicles from a distance, noting similar occurrences near Lorigamukh. Taking to social media, he detailed damages to the campaign fleet in a post on X, highlighting a damaged car belonging to candidate Sibamoni Bora. Inside that vehicle, All India Congress Committee secretary Manoj Chauhan was struck by a stone in the ribs. Gogoi also raised alarm that Bora had not been provided adequate official security cover ahead of the high-stakes campaign.
In the aftermath of the disturbance, police contingents along with paramilitary personnel were rapidly deployed across the area to restore order and secure traffic routes. Several journalists covering the political face-off were also reportedly assaulted amidst the chaos. The exact chain of events leading to the skirmish and the specific individuals responsible for triggering the violence remain to be officially verified.
