Bhupen Borah, President of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), and Debabrata Saikia, Leader of the Opposition in Assam, have jointly condemned the death of Congress worker Mridul Islam.

The Opposition alleged that Islam succumbed to injuries caused by a tear gas shell during a protest rally in Guwahati. The police, however, denied the allegations and said that there were no injuries on Islam’s body.

Both leaders described the incident as “police brutality” and demanded immediate accountability from the state government.

The incident occurred on December 18 during a Congress demonstration outside Raj Bhawan in Guwahati. The rally, led by Borah and Saikia, was part of a statewide movement against central government policies and expressed solidarity with the people of Manipur. According to the APCC, Islam, the party’s legal secretary, was injured during a police crackdown involving tear gas. He was rushed to Guwahati Medical College, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Meanwhile, the police denied the allegations and said Islam had complained of uneasiness before he was taken to the hospital.

Diganta Barah, Guwahati Commissioner of Police, said, “There are no injury marks on the body of the deceased. However, he was part of the protests. The post-mortem will reveal how he actually died. We are told he complained of uneasiness and was rushed to hospital. We have not fired but rolled three tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. No one got hurt. Rather the protesters took them and threw on the police. In the past, we have no records of any death due to tear gas shell.”

BORAH CONDEMNS POLICE ACTION

Bhupen Borah condemned the police’s actions, accusing them of using excessive force against peaceful protesters. He alleged that the police deliberately escalated tensions, targeting party workers, journalists, and political leaders.

“This was a deliberate attempt to instil fear among Congress workers and the people of Assam,” Borah said. “Mridul Islam, our legal secretary, lost his life because of the ruthless brutality unleashed by the police. His death is not just a loss for our party; it is an attack on the very core of our democracy.”

Borah further criticised the state government for suppressing political dissent. “The use of excessive force against peaceful protesters is unacceptable. The state government is systematically targeting opposition voices to silence dissent,” he said.

Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia called the incident a blatant violation of democratic rights, accusing the government of fostering an atmosphere of fear.

“This is an attack on our democratic rights,” Saikia stated. “The Modi government, and by extension the state government, is using all means necessary to stifle any opposition. This protest was about standing up for the people of Manipur, the people of Assam, and every citizen whose rights are under threat. The police attack on peaceful protesters is a clear indication of the government’s intention to silence the voice of the people.”

Saikia also emphasised solidarity with Manipur, noting that the protest aimed to raise awareness about the violence in the northeastern state.

“We are fighting for the people of Manipur who have been left to suffer in silence,” Saikia said. “The government’s failure to act on the Manipur crisis is shameful, and we will continue to raise our voices until justice is done.”

ESCALATION OF PROTESTS

Borah and Saikia pledged to intensify their protests, vowing that Mridul Islam’s death would not deter their movement.

“We will hold the government accountable,” Borah asserted. “Islam’s tragic death has only strengthened our resolve to fight for justice and the people’s rights.”

“We will not rest until justice is served,” Borah concluded.

Saikia echoed this sentiment, emphasising that the party would continue its fight against authoritarianism. “The government may try to suppress us, but we will not be silenced,” he said.

Deputy Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha and MP from Assam, Gaurav Gogoi, also condemned the incident, stating, “Mridul Islam, a lawyer from Boko in Kamrup district died due to brutal torture by Assam police in the Raj Bhawan gheraon program of Congress. I condemn such actions of the government who don’t understand the language of democratic protest.”