GUWAHATI: Congress Lok Sabha member from Dhubri, Rakibul Hussain, and his personal security officers (PSOs) were attacked by a group of unidentified miscreants in Assam’s Nagaon district on Thursday, triggering concerns over political violence in the region.
The unidentified attackers, with their faces concealed in black cloth, wielded cricket bats and shouted slogans against the MP. The PSOs fired four rounds in the air, but the miscreants assaulted them and attempted to snatch their weapons. Hussain was unharmed, but his two PSOs suffered minor injuries.
Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the MP’s security would be enhanced during his district visits.
The incident took place while MP Rakibul Hussain was traveling on a two-wheeler to attend a party meeting at Gunomari village, located under the jurisdiction of the Rupohi police station. As he made his way to the venue, the sudden attack by a group of unidentified assailants created a tense and chaotic situation.
Upon receiving reports of the assault, additional police forces were immediately dispatched to the scene to restore order and ensure the safety of the MP and his security personnel. Police officers conducted preliminary investigations at the site, gathering evidence and speaking to eyewitnesses to determine the motive behind the attack and identify those involved.
Despite the shocking turn of events, Hussain remained undeterred and proceeded with his schedule. Under tight security, he attended the planned party meeting, where he was joined by the district superintendent of police, who was present to assess the situation and provide necessary security assurances.
APCC president Bhupen Borah criticised the attack, calling it a failure of the chief minister’s home department to maintain order. “If no action is taken against the attackers by the police, it has to be said that there is jungle raj in the state and the people of Assam will be forced to acknowledge that police have become a tool in the hands of the BJP,” he said.
The Congress demanded the “immediate arrest of those involved in the attack and adequate security for the MP whose life is under threat”.
