Assam Assembly Election 2026: AJP vs BJP Clash Disrupts Polling in Khowang

A confrontation between supporters of the Asom Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) disrupted polling in the Khowang constituency of Dibrugarh district in Assam on Wednesday, April 9, turning an election day into a tense political flashpoint.

The clash broke out near the residence of local MLA Chakradhar Gogoi, where BJP leaders alleged that a group linked to AJP attacked their party workers gathered at a nearby house. The situation quickly escalated into a violent confrontation between the two rival groups.

Several people were injured in the incident, including BJP's Jharkhand in-charge Prahlad Pandey, who was reportedly caught in the altercation as tensions flared between supporters of the two parties.

As news of the clash spread, BJP supporters staged a protest by blocking a four-lane national highway in the area. Demonstrators demanded immediate arrests and action against those they accused of carrying out the attack. The road blockade led to traffic disruptions and added to the tense atmosphere around the constituency.

Police forces and senior officials soon reached the location and began efforts to disperse protesters and restore normalcy. Authorities said the situation was brought under control, though tensions between AJP and BJP supporters continued to linger in the area.

With polling underway, the incident has drawn attention to the intense political rivalry between the Asom Jatiya Parishad and the Bharatiya Janata Party in parts of Assam, where closely fought contests have heightened emotions among party workers.

Officials said an investigation has been launched to determine how the clash began and to identify those responsible for the violence.