GUWAHATI: The Assam Assembly on Friday witnessed uproarious scenes over the attack on Congress MP Rakibul Hussain in Nagaon district.
Speaker Biswajit Daimary adjourned the House twice within the first 30 minutes as the opposition Congress MLAs created noisy scenes after their adjournment motion to discuss the matter was disallowed.
Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia of Congress raised the demand for adjournment motion as soon as the House assembled at 9.30 am.
He maintained that the chief minister's reply on the matter in the Assembly did not show any repentance or apologise for the attack on Hussain.
Hussain, the Dhubri MP and his personal security officers (PSOs) were attacked by unidentified persons at Rupohihat in Nagaon district on Thursday.
The Congress MP was on his way to attend a meeting of party workers at Gunomari village under Rupohi police station on a two-wheeler when he was attacked with cricket bats by a group of people who had their faces covered with black cloth and were shouting slogans against the MP, police said.
The DGP said later that the MP was unhurt but his two PSOs have received minor injuries and are being provided with necessary treatment.
Speaker Daimary said the adjournment motion can not be allowed as discussion on finance bill was scheduled for the day.
Minister Pijush Hazarika, responding to Saikia's allegation of the government not acting against the culprit, claimed that the attackers have been identified and action is being initiated.
Unsatisfied with the response, the Congress legislators stormed into the Well of the House and created noisy scenes.
The BJP legislators also shouted back at the opposition MLAs, claiming that attacks on their leaders happened during Congress regime but no action was taken.
As the ruckus continued, the Speaker adjourned the House for 10 minutes.
As soon as it reassembled, Congress legislators once again stormed into the Well and demanded discussion on the issue.
As the noisy scenes continued, Daimary adjourned proceedings for another five minutes.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said 10 individuals had been identified in connection with the attack.
“The police have identified the individuals involved in the alleged assault on Congress MP Rakibul Hussain,” Sarma posted on X, sharing the names and locations of the accused. He assured that legal action would follow.
The Congress slammed the Assam government, calling the attack a “murder of democracy” and vowing not to allow “jungle raj and goonda raj” in the state. Congress MLAs staged a protest inside the Assembly complex, holding placards and demanding the immediate arrest of the culprits.
“The police failed to provide adequate security despite prior intelligence. The area has witnessed similar violence before. This attack was an attempt to demoralise Congress workers,” Saikia told reporters.
He accused the Assam government of trying to suppress opposition leaders and criticised CM Sarma’s statement offering additional security to Hussain as “insensitive.” Saikia alleged the attack was a “planned conspiracy” and warned that such incidents could continue until the 2026 Assembly elections.
Congress MLA Jakir Hussain Sikdar also slammed the administration, saying, “The Home Department and Assam Police have completely failed. The attack happened in broad daylight, yet no arrests have been made.”
“We won’t stop protesting until the culprits are arrested. The CM must take responsibility,” he added.
The Asom Sonmilito Morcha (ASOM), a bloc of over 15 anti-BJP parties, condemned the attack, calling it a sign of a “dangerous future” for Assam.
“This government is creating a violent atmosphere ahead of the 2026 elections,” ASOM leaders Ajit Kumar Bhuyan and Lurinjyoti Gogoi said in a joint statement. “The BJP has used such tactics in Hindi-speaking states, and now they are trying to replicate them in Assam.”
CPI(M) Assam state secretary Suprakash Talukdar called the attack “pre-planned,” warning that Assam’s law and order were rapidly deteriorating.
“If MPs aren’t safe, imagine the plight of ordinary citizens. This is an attempt to silence the opposition and destroy democracy,” he said.
The Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) general secretary Jagadish Bhuyan alleged that such an attack on a sitting MP wouldn’t have been possible without the government’s tacit approval.
“The BJP has imported Bihar and Uttar Pradesh-style violent politics to Assam. This reflects the complete breakdown of law and order,” Bhuyan said.
Raijor Dal president and Independent MLA Akhil Gogoi also condemned the attack, terming it a “failure of the Home Department” and warning of an “ominous sign” for Assam’s political future.