In a crucial development, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has penned a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah addressing the ‘security issues’ faced by party leader Rahul Gandhi during the Assam leg of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. This comes in the wake of the Assam Police registering a case against Mr. Gandhi and other Congress leaders for allegedly inciting a crowd to attack Guwahati police.
Kharge’s letter urges Amit Shah to ensure the safety of the former Congress chief during the ongoing Yatra. He points out several instances where the Assam Police allegedly failed to provide adequate security to Rahul Gandhi, who is entitled to Z security.
The Congress President highlighted incidents in Sibsagar district, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, and Nagaon, alleging lapses in security measures. According to Kharge, on the first day of the Yatra, Assam Police prioritized protecting BJP posters in Amguri, Sibsagar district, rather than ensuring a secure passage for the Yatra.
Kharge detailed further incidents, including miscreants associated with the BJP defacing and removing Yatra posters in Lakhimpur district, along with an attack on the Indian National Congress Social Media team and General Secretary Jairam Ramesh. He reported an assault on Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Bhupen Borah in Sonitpur district.
The letter also mentioned BJP workers allegedly blocking Rahul Gandhi’s convoy in Nagaon on January 22, creating an unsafe situation. Kharge accused the Assam Police of allowing BJP workers to breach the security cordon and endanger the physical security of Rahul Gandhi and his team.
The security concerns escalated on Tuesday when the Assam Police filed a case against Gandhi and other Congress leaders for allegedly instigating an attack on Guwahati police. The situation unfolded after the state police prevented the Yatra from entering the city, leading to protests by Congress workers who removed security barricades on the outskirts.
Kharge expressed dissatisfaction, stating that none of the miscreants had been arrested despite ample evidence, and investigations had not been initiated in many instances. The letter emphasizes the need for immediate action to address the security lapses and ensure the safety of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress leaders accompanying him on the Yatra.
