Guwahati: Congress leaders including Assam chief Bhupen Borah and Jakir Hussain Sikdar were injured when party workers clashed with police after Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra was stopped from entering the arterial roads in Guwahati this morning. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has instructed DGP to register a case against Gandhi for "provoking the crowd" and violating norms.
Assam CM had earlier stated that today being a working day it would not be convenient to hold the rally in Guwahati roads. Sarma had denied permission to the rally on the ground that it may lead to massive traffic congestion. The government had asked Congress workers to take the National Highway 27 route avoiding the major thoroughfares in the city.
However, Congess workers alleged that they were being denied permission on baseless grounds and the government was creating hurdles for the rally. They thus headed towards Guwahati from Meghalaya.
Meanwhile, Assam Police had deployed a huge contingent of forces at the Khanapara area, the city's entry point since morning and barricades were set up along the entire stretch. When the rally reached Khanapara area it was diverted by the police triggering protests from Congress workers.
Many workers clashed with police when they tried to break through the barricades. Workers alleged that the police had even resorted to lathi-charge resulting which, many of them were injured.
Criticising Assam CM for blocking their entry in Guwahati, Gandhi said that the route proposed by the Congress in the city is the same as that taken by BJP chief JP Nadda and the Bajrang Dal. "We broke the barricades but not the law. Don't think us to be weak." he said.
Addressing the policemen who stopped the rally, Gandhi said, "We know you are doing your duty. This is not your fault, But remember there must be 'nyay' (justice) not 'anyay' (injustice) in Assam. We are not against you, but against the most corrupt chief minister of Assam."