HT CORRESPONDENT
NAGAON, Feb 20: Congress Dhubri Lok Sabha MP Rokibul Hussain and his personal security officers were attacked by unidentified miscreants at New Bazar in Rupahihat, Assam’s Nagaon district, on Thursday.
The incident occurred when Hussain and his son, Tanzil Hossain, were on their way to attend a party meeting at Puthikhaiti in the district.
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“A group of unidentified miscreants with their faces covered attacked Hussain, his son Tanzil Hossain, and his security personnel. The miscreants used cricket bats and sticks to assault them. Hussain’s vehicle was also damaged in the sudden attack,” said eyewitnesses.
They further stated that the security personnel accompanying Hussain fired in the air to disperse the attackers. However, the miscreants managed to snatch the keys of the vehicle, leaving Hussain and his team stranded.
“The gang of miscreants was so ferocious that they even leaped at the security guards and beat them up,” they added.
Hussain claimed that the attack was pre-planned and that he had informed the district administration and the police about the possibility of such an incident.
He demanded immediate action against the perpetrators and called for the resignation of the Home Minister.
The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and the All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) strongly condemned the attack.
Making a statement in the Assembly, the Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the crowd had tried to prevent Hussain from entering the village when his PSO opened fire.
Despite the attack, the MP proceeded to the scheduled meeting venue, where the event was conducted in the presence of the district Superintendent of Police, he added.
The chief minister further assured that Hussain’s security would be beefed up while he remains in the district, particularly in Samaguri and Rupohihat.
Director General of Police (DGP) Harmeet Singh told reporters that the situation was under control and that the SP concerned was investigating the incident.
“We will share further details as the investigation progresses,” he said.
The MP was unharmed, but two of his PSOs sustained minor injuries and are receiving necessary medical treatment, Singh added.
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Bhupen Borah condemned the attack, calling it a failure of the Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, in maintaining law and order in the state.
“If no action is taken against the attackers, it will prove that Assam is under ‘jungle raj,’ and the people will be forced to acknowledge that the police have become a tool in the hands of the BJP,” he said.
Borah alleged that several such attacks on Congress leaders and workers had taken place under the current regime, but no action had been taken against the perpetrators so far.
The Congress leader demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in the attack and adequate security for the MP, claiming that his life was under threat.
“If the CM fails to take any action, we will be forced to take strong steps,” he warned.
Hussain won the Dhubri Lok Sabha seat last year by a record margin of over 10 lakh votes.
His son had contested the bypoll for the Samaguri Assembly constituency—represented by Hussain for five terms—but lost to BJP candidate Diplu Ranjan Sarma.
Several incidents of violence were reported in the constituency and nearby areas in the run-up to the by-polls in November last year. (With PTI Inputs)
