An unexpected security scare unfolded in Assam as Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s convoy came under disruption during his official visit to Golaghat on Monday, triggering a wave of political tension. A plastic water bottle was thrown in the direction of his convoy, prompting immediate reaction from both security forces and political circles.
The incident, although not resulting in any injury or damage to the vehicles, has raised serious concerns about the Chief Minister’s security arrangements. In the wake of the act, police detained six individuals on Tuesday, including key Congress functionaries. Among those held were Pallab Chetia, Secretary of the Golaghat District Congress Committee, and Rahul Phukan, son of a former Block Congress Secretary. Both are believed to be close to Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Gaurav Gogoi.
The BJP was quick to allege that the incident was politically motivated. Golaghat BJP MLA Biswajit Phukan accused the Congress party of resorting to “disruptive tactics” and claimed that the act stemmed from their inability to accept the growing popularity of Chief Minister Sarma. “This is the old Congress mindset – if they can’t win support, they try to disrupt public events,” he said.
Taking a more serious tone, Assam Power Minister Prasanta Phukan called the incident a “major security lapse” and went as far as describing it as “an attempt on the Chief Minister’s life.” He urged an immediate review and strengthening of the CM’s security protocols.
The political temperature in the state has continued to rise as video footage of the incident surfaced on social media, fueling public reactions and political commentary. BJP workers in Dibrugarh staged demonstrations demanding strong legal action and an apology from the Congress party.
Meanwhile, the Congress party pushed back strongly against the allegations. Party spokesperson Rituporno Konwar denied any connection between the detained individuals and the incident. He claimed that four of the arrested Youth Congress members were already in police custody for participating in a separate protest related to cattle smuggling, even before the bottle-throwing took place.
“This is nothing but a politically motivated move to muzzle dissent. If the individuals were already in custody, how could they possibly throw a bottle? This shows the government’s desperation to divert attention from real issues,” Konwar stated.
Chief Minister Sarma, addressing the media following the incident, dismissed the episode with a dose of sarcasm, choosing not to escalate the matter himself. However, his political allies have not taken it lightly.
Senior Congress leaders also condemned the act but warned against turning the matter into a political vendetta. APCC President Bhupen Borah said, “Our party does not support violence in any form. We believe in democratic and peaceful protest. If someone has done this, they should face action, but innocent people must not be targeted.”
Former Minister Rakibul Hussain echoed the sentiment and recounted a similar incident where he had once been targeted during a public event. “The BJP should not use this to score political points. We have also faced attacks, but never used it to frame political opponents,” Hussain said.
The entire episode has cast a shadow on the state’s political climate, revealing growing polarization and tensions between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress in Assam. It also brings renewed focus on the issue of security arrangements during high-profile visits and whether intelligence lapses may have contributed to the situation.
As of now, investigations are underway, and the authorities are yet to confirm the identity of the individual who threw the bottle. The police have stated that they are reviewing CCTV footage and questioning eyewitnesses to establish the full sequence of events.