HT Correspondent
JORHAT, Feb 12: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Kumar Borah made his second appearance before the investigating officer (I/O) at the Jorhat Police Station on Monday.
This appearance is in connection with a case registered last month at Jorhat PS, pertaining to alleged violation of the permitted route and causing disruptions in Jorhat town during Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra on January 18 this year.
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Accompanied by a group of lawyers, Borah was questioned for approximately two and a half hours regarding the deviation of the yatra route.
While speaking to reporters, Borah asserted that he provided the police with all the information he possessed about the yatra’s passage through Jorhat town.
Alleging harassment and an attempt by the government to suppress the main Opposition party (Congress) using various means, especially with parliamentary elections looming, Borah targeted the chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for adopting a policy of intimidation against the opposition.
Asserting the non-partisan nature of the Assam Police during the Congress’s previous tenure in the state, Borah questioned the current government’s actions, alleging bias and harassment against opposition leaders.
Borah also revealed that he had requested the police not to summon him again to Jorhat PS before the upcoming polls, as he would be actively involved in campaigning.
Addressing the issue of lodging at the Jorhat Circuit House, Borah claimed he was denied entry on Sunday night despite being informed of accommodation arrangements.
“Orders from higher-ups prevented his access, forcing him to stay at a hotel,” he added.
It is noted that a case (No. 20/2024) was registered at the Jorhat Police Station under various sections after police lodged an FIR suo motu against several Congress leaders, including Bhupen Kumar Borah, for allegedly deviating from the permitted route of the yatra on January 18.
Borah was directed to appear before the investigating officer again on February 12.
Rana Goswami and others, also named in the case, had requested for a postponement, citing health and personal reasons, which were reportedly granted by the police.
KB Byju, another accused, appeared before the investigating officer on Saturday and was questioned for several hours. On the other hand, Rana Goswami appeared at the police station on Sunday and underwent questioning for about three hours.
