Assam Congress Leader Dies Amid Police Action on Protesters, Sparks Outrage

ARABINDA RABHA

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Guwahati witnessed a somber turn of events on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, when Assam Congress leader Mridul Islam succumbed to injuries allegedly caused by excessive police action during a ‘Raj Bhavan Chalo’ protest march.

The protest, part of a nationwide campaign by the Indian National Congress, aimed to raise pressing issues such as the installation of smart meters, alleged governmental corruption, the Manipur crisis, and industrialist Gautam Adani’s controversies.

A Martyr for the Cause

Mridul Islam, an advocate and secretary of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee’s (APCC) legal cell, was also the co-coordinator of the party’s Kamrup Rural Digital Vahini. Hailing from Boko in southwestern Assam, he was among thousands of Congress workers demonstrating peacefully near the Raj Bhavan. Following the police’s use of tear gas to disperse protesters, Islam collapsed and was rushed to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Assam Congress Leader Dies Amid Police Action on Protesters, Sparks Outrage — **Mridul Islam**

In the wake of his death, the Assam Congress has declared Islam a martyr. State Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah condemned the incident, asserting that Islam’s death was the result of a planned government crackdown on peaceful protesters. “The Himanta Biswa Sarma government murdered him through its unwarranted use of force,” Borah claimed, calling the incident an assault on democracy.

Excessive Force and Legal Fallout

The Congress lodged a First Information Report (FIR) at the Latasil Police Station, accusing the police of deploying an excessive and indiscriminate amount of tear gas without provocation. The FIR alleges that the tear gas was not only harmful to the protesters but also impacted bystanders, including elderly individuals and children in the vicinity.

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The party has demanded a thorough and independent investigation into the incident and immediate action against the police officers involved. The FIR also called for compensation for Islam’s family and preventive measures to ensure such tragedies do not recur.

“The unwarranted assault on Islam with brute force highlights a blatant violation of human rights,” the Congress stated.

Journalists Caught in the Crossfire

The Guwahati Press Club (GPC) strongly condemned the police action, which also left several journalists injured. Tear gas shells reportedly landed in areas where reporters and camerapersons had gathered to cover the protest, injuring at least three journalists, including Amarendra Deka of Pratidin Time and Raju Borah of Prag News.

The GPC issued a statement urging the civil and police administration to train personnel better in handling protests and mob control to prevent harm to media professionals. Journalists were asked to wear black badges on Thursday as a mark of protest.

Divergent Narratives

While the Congress has accused the police of excessive force, Guwahati Police Commissioner Diganta Bora defended the actions, stating that only three tear gas canisters were used when protesters turned aggressive and attempted to breach the second barricade near the Raj Bhavan. “The tear gas was rolled, not fired, and the media was not targeted,” Bora said.

A Peaceful Protest Turned Tragic

The ‘Raj Bhavan Chalo’ march was a significant nationwide demonstration organized to protest against several government policies perceived as detrimental by the opposition and various civil society groups. The protest aimed to voice discontent with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government’s handling of various critical issues affecting the country.

In Assam, the protest saw the participation of hundreds Congress workers, reflecting the widespread discontent among the state’s populace. The demonstrators in Assam were particularly vocal about their opposition to what they described as the BJP government’s alleged indifference to pressing issues. One of the primary grievances was the handling of the Manipur crisis, which had garnered national attention due to its complex socio-political implications and the perceived lack of effective intervention by the central government.

Additionally, the protesters opposed the government’s efforts to implement smart meters in the region. The introduction of smart meters was seen by some as a move that could potentially lead to increased electricity costs and financial burdens on the common people. The Congress workers, along with other protestors, argued that such policies were being implemented without adequate consideration of their impact on the economically weaker sections of society.

Overall, the ‘Raj Bhavan Chalo’ march in Assam was not just a protest against specific policies but also a broader expression of dissatisfaction with the BJP’s governance and approach to addressing the needs and concerns of the people. The protest highlighted the growing tensions and political challenges facing the government, as it navigated criticism from the opposition and sought to address the various socio-economic issues raised by demonstrators across the nation.

Calls for Justice

The death of Mridul Islam has sparked outrage, with demands for accountability and justice echoing across political and civil society spheres. The Congress has called for a nationwide condemnation of the incident and urged the BJP-led government to ensure transparency in addressing the situation.

As Assam mourns the loss of a leader and the democratic fabric of the state is questioned, the tragic events in Guwahati serve as a stark reminder of the need for accountability, dialogue, and the protection of human rights in India’s democratic processes.

19-12-2024

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