Guwahati: In a sharp escalation of political tensions ahead of the Panchayat elections, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Thursday, April 17, launched a massive protest march to the office of the Director General of Police (DGP) in Guwahati. Led by APCC president Bhupen Borah and Lok Sabha MP Pradyut Bordoloi, the demonstration accused the state police of widespread misconduct and politically motivated harassment of Congress candidates across the state.
Raising serious concerns about the neutrality of law enforcement, Bhupen Borah questioned the role of the police in a democratic setup. “We are here to ask a fundamental question—whether the Assam Police is upholding the Constitution or serving the political interests of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma,” Borah said. He alleged that under pressure from the ruling BJP, police officers were acting to suppress political opposition, making it impossible to ensure a level playing field for the elections.
The APCC further claimed that a disturbing pattern of threats and intimidation has emerged, with its candidates being targeted in various districts. “Our candidates are raising their voices from every corner of Assam. They are being harassed, threatened, and targeted. We will not back down until justice prevails,” Borah added during the protest.
In a live social media address, Pradesh Mahila Congress president Mira Borthakur intensified the allegations by directly accusing the Chief Minister of orchestrating a campaign to dismantle democratic norms. “By weaponizing the police, administration, and even the State Election Commission, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma is sabotaging democracy and stifling political opposition,” she said, calling for immediate action to restore faith in the electoral system.
The situation further escalated after Congress candidate Barnali Devi and her husband Gobin Nath were reportedly detained by Kampur Police under the Barhampur Assembly segment. The detention, which occurred in the 2 No. Kathiatoli Zilla Parishad constituency, has not been officially explained, though sources indicate an ongoing interrogation. The Congress party condemned the act, describing it as a deliberate attempt to stifle dissent and obstruct the democratic process.
With political temperatures rising, the incident has sparked renewed debate about institutional independence and the integrity of the upcoming elections in Assam. The Congress has vowed to continue its agitation until their demands for electoral fairness and administrative accountability are met.