Congress workers scuffle with police; ACP injured

GUWAHATI: An assistant commissioner of police (ACP) of Guwahati City Police was injured in an alleged attack by Congress protesters who hit the streets on Wednesday against repeated grilling of Rahul Gandhi by the Enforcement Directorate in the National Herald case.
Blood ran down the face of injured ACP, Dispur, Himangshu Das. Several Congress leaders and workers were detained by police during the scuffle as the protesters tried to break the police barricade outside Rajiv Bhawan, the state Congress headquarters.
“During scuffle with protesters I was hit by the bamboo pole of a flag,” said Das.
Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hit out at the Congress, saying that the culprits won’t be spared for “attacking police”.
“Police have filed a case in connection with the incident where the ACP has been injured. Like other criminals, police will take action against them,” said Sarma.
Special DGP (law and order), GP Singh also took to Twitter, vowing to take lawful action. “Another day at work for @assampolice ACP Dispur injured while handling L&O situation at Guwahati. Adequate treatment has been given. Lawful action is being initiated,” Singh tweeted.
Meanwhile, the media cell of the state PCC said due to alleged police high handedness, Assam Congress president Bhupen Borah sustained injuries in his arms, while general secretary Apurba Bhattacharjee received chest injuries. Congress said their leaders and workers were physically assaulted by police when they started a march to take stock of the city’s flood situation. The Congress took out the march to protest at the ED office at Chandmari here and also meet the people reeling under artificial floods.
Sources said the “satyagraha protest” taken out by the Assam PCC from its state headquarters on Monday was also suppressed by police. Several party leaders and workers were detained, though they were later released. Then chief minister Sarma accused Rahul Gandhi of not behaving like a law-abiding citizen and alleged that the Congress leader was instigating the party supporters in the country to agitate against ED’s proceedings.