‘They’re trying to create problems’: Congress says police mute as crowd waving saffron flags interrupts yatra route in Assam
“They have totally blocked the entire road… They are shouting slogans, at times some that are very communally provocative, but police have been mute spectators,” Nagaon MP Prodyut Bordoloi told The Indian Express.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with party leader KC Venugopal and others protest after he was not allowed to visit the Sri Sri Sankar Dev Satra during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, in Nagaon district, Assam, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. (PTI Photo)
“They have totally blocked the entire road… They are shouting slogans, at times some that are very communally provocative, but police have been mute spectators,” Nagaon MP Prodyut Bordoloi told The Indian Express.
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“I spoke to the District Collector and the Superintendent of Police, and they gave me assurances. But in terms of action, I have not seen anything. They (the flag-wielding crowd) have totally blocked the road and are shouting communally provocative slogans. They are actually trying to create some problems.”
He said he had assured the local administration that Rahul Gandhi, who is leading the yatra, would not get down from the bus and that the yatra would pass through peacefully. “We have no intention of accosting them (the crowd),” he said.
The yatra is scheduled to pass through this area en route to Jorabat on the Assam-Meghalaya border.
On Sunday, a crowd wielding BJP flags gathered at a point in Sonitpur’s Jamugurihat through which the yatra was passing and allegedly attempted to attack vehicles travelling in the convoy. Assam Congress chief Bhupen Borah suffered injuries to his face while confronting the crowd, and other party leaders alleged that their car windows were rattled and stickers torn.
On Monday morning, Rahul was stopped for over two hours at Haibargaon in Assam’s Nagaon, when the yatra was blockaded on the way to Batadrava Than.
Sukrita Baruah is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Guwahati. From this strategic hub, she provides comprehensive, ground-level coverage of India's North East, a region characterized by its complex ethnic diversity, geopolitical significance, and unique developmental challenges.
Expertise and Experience
Ethnic & Social Dynamics: Deep-dive coverage of regional conflicts (such as the crisis in Manipur) and peace-building efforts.
Border & Geopolitics: Tracking developments along India’s international borders and their impact on local communities.
Governance & Policy: Reporting on state elections, tribal council decisions, and the implementation of central schemes in the North East.
Specialized Education Background: Prior to her current role, Sukrita was a dedicated Education Correspondent for The Indian Express in Delhi. This experience provided her with a sharp analytical lens for:
Policy Analysis: Evaluating the National Education Policy (NEP) and university-level reforms.
Student Affairs: Covering high-stakes stories regarding campus politics, national entrance exams, and the challenges within the primary and secondary education sectors. ... Read More
