Assam Congress Protest Detentions
Assam Congress Leaders Detained During Protest Demanding Chief Election Commissioner Removal
Anonymous
Key Points
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The march began at the Congress state headquarters, Rajiv Bhawan, and was intended to proceed to the Chief Electoral Officer’s office, where protesters planned to burn an effigy of the CEC.
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Those detained alongside Gogoi included AICC secretary Manoj Chauhan, Seva Dal president Deep Bayan and APCC general secretary Udit Bhanu Das.
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On-ground reports said Gogoi and other Congress leaders were taken to the 10th Assam Police Battalion camp in Kahilipara after being detained.
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The Guwahati demonstration was part of a nationwide Congress campaign over what the party calls “vote theft”; the party had directed state units to hold protest marches seeking the CEC’s removal and arrest.
Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi and several senior party leaders were detained in Guwahati after attempting to cross police barricades during a protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's removal. The Hindu reported that the demonstration centered on alleged irregularities in the Election Commission's handling of electoral rolls. The Congress party alleges these failures threaten voter rights and election fairness across India.
The detentions are part of a nationwide Congress campaign against what the party calls 'vote theft.' Moneycontrol noted that Congress state units across India have been directed to hold protest marches seeking the CEC's removal and arrest. Congress officials described the Guwahati detentions as a threat to democracy and vowed to expand protests statewide.
March halted at police barricades in Guwahati
The protest began at Congress state headquarters, Rajiv Bhawan, and was intended to reach the Chief Electoral Officer's office. The Print reported that demonstrators planned to burn an effigy of the CEC to demand his resignation and legal action. Police blocked the march before it could proceed, leading to detentions at the scene.
Those detained alongside Gogoi included AICC secretary Manoj Chauhan, Seva Dal president Deep Bayan, and APCC general secretary Udit Bhanu Das. The Shillong Times reported the leaders were taken to the 10th Assam Police Battalion camp in Kahilipara. The Congress party treated the detentions as a violation of citizens' right to peaceful protest.
Congress alleges election irregularities in electoral rolls
The party claims the Election Commission has mishandled electoral roll management, creating systematic problems that affect voter registration and election integrity. Congress leaders called for an independent review of electoral roll procedures and legal action against officials responsible. The party argues these failures undermine the foundation of fair democratic elections across India.
The Guwahati protest reflects broader Congress frustration with the Election Commission's conduct. The Print reported that Gogoi and other leaders specifically demanded CEC Gyanesh Kumar's removal as the first step toward restoring election credibility. Party officials signaled they will intensify pressure through coordinated state-level protests.
Nationwide campaign targets vote management allegations
Congress workers across multiple states have joined the push for the CEC's resignation and arrest. Moneycontrol reported the nationwide mobilization follows a directive from Congress leadership, turning the electoral roll issue into a pan-India campaign issue. The party views these protests as essential to challenging what it calls systematic electoral manipulation.
Congress spokespeople characterized the Guwahati detentions as an attack on democratic freedoms. The party announced plans to expand its protest movement across Assam, signaling a sustained campaign against the Election Commission. Leaders pledged continued activism until the CEC steps down and faces legal consequences for alleged electoral irregularities.
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