GUWAHATI: The police identified an expelled Congress leader as the key suspect in the case where the vehicles of Assam Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi and two Congress leaders – MLA Sibamoni Bora and party spokesman Mohsin Khan were attacked on Sunday evening in Nagaon.
“We learnt that Imdadul Islam, who was expelled from Congress two days ago, had hatched the conspiracy. He had some people with him. We are trying to nab them. We will surely nab them soon,” Superintendent of Police, Nagaon, Swapnaneel Deka, told mediapersons on Monday.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said at the heart of the incident was a Congress leader who took money from two people to sell one ticket for the upcoming panchayat elections.
Sarma asked Congress leaders in Delhi to control corruption within the party in Assam instead of playing the victim card and blaming the BJP.
Assam BJP minister Pijush Hazarika said the incident appeared to have arisen from personal disputes over financial dealings.
“The area where the incident occurred is predominantly a Congress stronghold, and attempts to blame the BJP are not only baseless but deeply irresponsible,” he stated.
In a memorandum submitted to Director General of Police Harmeet Singh, Congress demanded a comprehensive review of the law-and-order situation in the state, issuance of “explanation calls” to SPs where incidents of political violence occurred, and identification and immediate arrest of perpetrators based on available video and photographic evidence.
Further, the party demanded enhanced security for its leaders and panchayat poll candidates.
The incident occurred at Rajabari in the Dhing area of Nagaon district when the Congress leaders were returning after campaigning for panchayat elections.
They escaped with minor injuries but their vehicles were damaged.
Bordoloi, who is the Nagaon MP, said the attack, carried out by men carrying hockey sticks and iron rods, was pre-planned. “It was a conspiracy to kill us, but we will not be scared,” he said.