Guwahati: In a tragic incident, one 45-year-old advocate, Mridul Islam from Boko in South Kamrup lost his life during the Congress party’s “Raj Bhavan Chalo” protest on Wednesday.
Islam, a member of the State Congress Legal Cell, reportedly collapsed after a confrontation with police and later succumbed at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
The protest, organized to address pressing issues such as the state government’s implementation of smart meters, the Adani controversy, and the “One Nation, One Election” proposal, drew thousands of supporters near the Raj Bhavan. Demonstrators raised slogans demanding immediate action on these matters.
Tensions escalated when protesters attempted to breach police barricades to march toward the Raj Bhavan. In response, police deployed tear gas to control the crowd, leading to chaotic scenes. Amid the commotion, Mridul Islam reportedly fell unconscious and was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Congress party has condemned the police’s handling of the protest, accusing them of excessive force against what they described as a peaceful demonstration. Senior party leaders have called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Islam’s death, expressing outrage over the incident.
“This is a grave injustice. Mridul Islam was a voice for the people, and his loss is a blow to democracy. We demand accountability and justice,” said a senior Congress leader.
The incident has sparked widespread public and political outcry, with opposition leaders demanding answers and expressing solidarity with Islam’s family. The police have yet to issue an official statement regarding the events leading to the advocate’s death.
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