"Hitler Raj in Assam Killed Mridul Islam,” Says Abhijit Paul; Congress Leaders Detained Amid Protests

The death of 45-year-old Congress worker Mridul Islam on December 18, following a protest march to Raj Bhavan in Guwahati, has triggered widespread outrage across Assam. The Opposition has accused the police of using excessive force, including tear gas, leading to his demise.

In Silchar, Congress workers staged a protest yesterday, December 20, demanding justice for the death of Mridul Islam. The protest, which began from the District Congress Office, was intended to culminate at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office. However, the police stopped the procession by setting up barricades at the main gate of the Congress office.

Defying the police barricade, Congress workers tried to break through, leading to a scuffle between the protesters and the police. In the ensuing chaos, former minister Ajit Singh, District Congress President Abhijit Paul, and several others were detained by the police. Meanwhile, dozens of other Congress workers were confined inside the Congress office premises.

Congress President Abhijit Paul said, “On December 18 Congress had organised a Raj Bhawan Gherao movement to protest against the forced installation of smart meters and several other issues like the Modi-Adani Raj. In that gherao and protest, police fired tear gas which led to the death of Mridul Islam of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee’s legal cell. Today when we gathered to organise a Sarva-Dharma Shanti Prarthana for our deceased brother, our office was barricaded by Assam Police. We were supposed to present a memorandum addressed to the Governor of Assam at the DC Office. Still, police blocked our gates and arrested Borkhola MLA Misbahul Islam Laskar, former minister and former MLA of Udharbond Ajit Singh. Police have used force on us and in those altercations, many of our fellow members were seriously injured. Minority Cell’s Chairman Anchar Hussain Barlaskar has been admitted to SMCH after several injuries. Farida Parveen, the General Secretary was also taken to the hospital. Other members were also arrested”.

Naming this as the Hitler Raj, Abhijit Paul blamed the BJP government led by Himanta Biswa Sarma who doesn’t let the democratic voice out or continue the democratic protest.

Congress party members also said, they are ready to sacrifice as many of their leaders for the people of the state if required.

Before being detained, Farida Parveen, the General Secretary said, “I came here for a democratic protest, then why was I dragged on the ground and beaten by the police? Why is the administration scared of a democratic protest?

Jonmejoy Choudhury, President of NSUI said, “They have killed one of our soldiers of the congress party and if the investigation is being carried out independently, we will find out that he was killed for raising the voice of the people. Assam Police are not letting us out of our Congress Office and stopping a democratic protest. We are not scared of the police force being unleashed and will continue our protest for the people”.

Former minister of Assam, Ajit Singh said, “He was an advocate and was killed systematically. A democratic protest was being carried out and there can certainly be some altercation, but no one has the right to kill a person. They have murdered a young energetic youth of this country”.