Guwahati: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking the removal of Nagaon district commissioner-cum-district election officer (DEO) Aranyak Saikia from all election-related duties following an attack on its campaign convoy at Borma bazaar in Samaguri on Sept 21.Congress alleged that the district administration failed to act despite repeated warnings of a possible attack and later sought to downplay the incident through an official press note. APCC also sought an independent examination of the incident and reassignment of election responsibilities to another senior officer.APCC general secretary (administration) Bipul Gogoi, in a representation to the ECI on Wednesday, objected to a Sept 22 press note issued by the Nagaon DEO. The party said it submitted video footage of the incident, photographs of damaged vehicles and medical documents related to injuries suffered by its leaders. Congress functionaries — AICC secretary Manoj Chauhan and Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress president Mira Borthakur — were injured by stones, the party said. The convoy, campaigning for the Oct 6 Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election, also included senior leaders such as Assam in-charge Bhupesh Baghel.Congress claimed the incident was neither unexpected nor spontaneous, alleging that Lok Sabha MP Rakibul Hussain had repeatedly alerted the Nagaon district administration to the possibility of an attack. “Member of Parliament Rakibul Hussain had categorically informed and alerted the DC of Nagaon multiple times regarding the gathering of BJP-sponsored anti-social elements at Borma bazaar and the stockpiling of stones and other materials for an attack. However, despite the DC’s assurance that all arrangements had been made, no security measure was put in place,” the APCC media department said in a release on Wednesday.According to the party, Hussain also contacted the Nagaon superintendent of police and additional superintendent of police several times regarding security arrangements for Baghel and other senior leaders.The party disputed the DEO’s press note issued on Tuesday, which said the violence followed a “sudden skirmish” in which stones, eggs and bottles “accidentally” struck vehicles and caused no harm to occupants.“In reality, AICC Secretary Manoj Chauhan and Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress president Mira Borthakur sustained serious injuries, and several vehicles were vandalized and damaged,” the APCC release said.APCC also rejected the administration’s assertion that there was “no distinct leader leading the charge,” alleging that BJP leader Mujibur Rahman led the assault.“Congress workers had caught red-handed one Habibur Rahman, who was leading the assault, and handed him over to the police, but the police let him go. Later, on their return journey, the same group led by Mujibur Rahman attempted to attack the convoy once again,” the release said.
