Congress moves EC over assault on Naduar candidate, seeks action against SSP

Guwahati, Mar 1: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), on Wednesday, approached the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging serious lapses by the police following a pre-poll violence incident in Sonitpur’s Naduar, in which Congress candidate Sunil Kumar Chetry was reportedly injured.

In a formal complaint submitted to the Chief Election Commissioner, the party sought punitive action against Sonitpur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Barun Purkayastha, accusing him of failing to prevent the assault and ensure adequate security during the ongoing election campaign.

In its letter dated April 1, the APCC registered its “strongest possible protest” against the officer, alleging “complete and willful dereliction of constitutional, statutory and electoral duties”.

“This lapse has enabled a brazen physical assault on a recognised candidate of the Indian National Congress during the ongoing election campaign for the Assam Legislative Assembly, thereby vitiating the sanctity of the electoral process,” the complaint, undersigned by Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, stated.

The party demanded immediate arrest of all identified perpetrators, a time-bound inquiry into the role of the SSP, and his suspension and transfer pending investigation.

According to the complaint, eyewitness accounts and purported visual evidence identify the main assailants as Mehabub Alam, president of Chowkighat Gaon Panchayat, and Mujahidul Alam, among others.

The APCC further alleged that police personnel present at the scene failed to intervene effectively or carry out prompt arrests.

“As of the filing of this complaint, no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the named perpetrators, nor have any concrete steps been taken to apprehend them, despite the incident occurring in broad daylight during active election campaigning,” the letter said.

The party also claimed that despite formal requests, adequate preventive measures and security cover were not provided to the candidate.

Calling it a violation of the mandate to ensure free and fair elections under Article 324 of the Constitution and provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the APCC alleged that the inaction of uniformed police at the site amounted to “criminal negligence”.

It urged the ECI to initiate immediate action, including registration of an FIR under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, along with applicable sections of the Representation of the People Act.

The party also requested that the matter be treated as a formal representation under the Commission’s constitutional powers and called for action within 24 hours.