Guwahati: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) spokesperson Reetam Singh was arrested on Saturday following his social media remarks about Lakhimpur MLA Manab Deka. A team from Lakhimpur police arrived at Singh’s residence in Guwahati and took him into custody, sparking controversy over the manner of the arrest.
Earlier in the day, Singh had taken to Platform X, alleging that Assam police officials were attempting to forcibly enter his home without showing a notice or search warrant, citing provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Despite his objections, he was detained and subsequently transferred to Lakhimpur, where a case was registered against him.
The complaint was filed by Manab Deka’s wife, who accused Singh of being a habitual offender. She referenced his prior arrests, including cases registered at Panbazar and Dispur police stations under multiple sections of the IPC and the IT Act.
Singh’s arrest has drawn strong criticism from Congress leaders, with senior MP Gaurav Gogoi condemning it as an act of police excess over a mere social media post. He accused the Assam government of misusing law enforcement, stating, “Himanta, Pijush, and Manab Deka are not gods that the police will act on their every instruction.”
Meanwhile, Singh’s father has raised questions about the police’s approach, claiming that the arrest was carried out without prior notice to their legal counsel. “Our advocate was not informed about any legal proceedings. How can 20-25 police personnel arrive like this without serving a notice?” he questioned.
The incident has intensified political tensions in Assam, with the opposition accusing the state government of suppressing dissent through targeted actions against its critics.