Rahul's Yatra Stopped As Clash Breaks Out Between Cong Workers-Cops In Assam

A clash broke out between police and Congress workers in Assam's Guwahati, during 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' on Tuesday, according to ANI.

The state government has refused to grant permission for 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' to pass through arterial roads in Guwahati. As per the government, it might create traffic congestion. Hence, it asked the Congress to take the national highway route as it moves towards lower Assam.

The Congress workers have alleged that the state administration has denied permission for the march on frivolous grounds. This situation arises in the midst of an ongoing dispute between the Congress and the BJP government in Assam.

The Congress accuses the Himanta Biswa Sarma government of obstructing the yatra led by Rahul Gandhi and said, "Since our entry in Assam, the most corrupt CM in India has been carrying out relentless attacks on our convoys, properties and leaders using his goons,"

On Monday, there was a lot of drama after Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to proceed towards the birthplace of iconic Vaishnav saint Srimanta Sankardeva at Batadrava in Nagaon, besides being barred from holding a meeting in Morigaon district.

As a result, the scheduled program for the fifth day of the Yatra in the state did as per the earlier plans in the two districts. In the evening, Gandhi entered Meghalaya, the party said.

Sankardeva is a revered Assamese saint-scholar, social-religious reformer, poet, playwright, and a prominent figure in the cultural and religious history of Assam from the 15th-16th century.

Gandhi was stopped at Haibargaon on his way to the Sattra (Vaisnavite monastery) on Monday. This prompted him and other party leaders to stage a dharna.

After refusing permission, the Morigaon district administration, in a letter to the district Congress, urged Gandhi to abstain from conducting street corner meetings and a foot march as part of the Yatra, citing concerns that miscreants might attempt to disrupt peace in the district.

"In the interest of Rahul Gandhi's safety and security, who is a 'Z plus Advance Security Liasoning (ASL) protectee along with our responsibility to avert any probable law and order disruption in Morigaon district, we request that the party refrain from proposed street corner meeting and padayatra in Morigaon town," the letter stated.

The Yatra, which reentered Assam for its final stretch after entering Meghalaya on Monday, will traverse through the outskirts of the state's largest city, Guwahati. The Yatra is set to remain in Assam until Thursday.