Congress MP files police complaint against Assam minister

Guwahati, Oct 01 (UNI) Congress MP (Guwahati) Kirip Chaliha today filed a complaint against Assam Environment Minister Rakibul Hussain for allegedly ''masterminding an attack'' on him.

Notably both Mr. Chaliha and Mr Hussain are from the Congress party. Addressing a press conference here this evening, Mr Chalia released the complaint letter he had submitted to Assam DGP R N Mathur about the alleged involvement of Mr. Hussain in the attack.

The alleged attack came yesterday afternoon when Mr. Chaliha was returning from a personal visit to Hojai where he met bete noire of Congress Mr. Badaruddin Ajmal, president of the Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF).

''I had gone to visit one of my relative lying in the ICU of the hospital run by the trust of Mr. Ajmal. It was a courtesy call to Mr Ajmal as it was the last day of the month of Ramdan. Even if I met an opposition leader can I be attacked?'' questioned Mr. Chaliha.

He wrote in the complaint letter that from the words of the hooligans who attacked his car, it was apparent that Mr. Hussain masterminded the attack. Demanding proper security, he said that there was threat to his life.

He denied that the visit had anything to do with politics. ''What type of political civility in the Assamese society? Why can not a MP meet any opposition leader? Should there be any curb on that?'' he questioned.

Earlier Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that he would accept the AUDF leadership if the party got dissolved and merged into the Congress party. But he denied that Mr. Chaliha was sent for any party work.

Meanwhile, state Forest Minister Rakibul Hussain denied any involvement in the alleged attack and termed the allegation as ''bogus and false.'' UNI MT ADG RN1938