Guwahati, Sept 21: Campaigning for the Nagaon bypoll was disrupted on Monday after a Congress convoy was allegedly attacked with stones while travelling to a public meeting at Barma in Samaguri. The incident triggered tension in the area, with a crowd gathering on the streets and waving black flags.

Police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd, while stones were reportedly also pelted at CRPF personnel deployed at the spot. Security forces later brought the situation under control.

The Congress convoy was carrying Lok Sabha MPs Rakibul Hussain and APCC chief Gaurav Gogoi, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Wazed Ali Choudhury, Mahila Congress president Mira Borthakur, party candidate Sibamoni Bora and several MLAs. Journalists covering the incident were also allegedly attacked.

The exact circumstances surrounding the confrontation, including the extent of injuries and damage, were not immediately clear. Congress leaders blamed the BJP for the incident.

“All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary Manoj Chauhan sustained serious injuries to his chest and abdomen, while Borthakur suffered head injuries,” the party’s media department chairman, Bedabrata Borasaid said at a press conference at Rajiv Bhawan on Monday evening. Assam Congress in-charge and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel alleged that the attack was orchestrated by “goons of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma” and accused the BJP of resorting to violence after sensing an imminent defeat in the election.

“Himanta Biswa Sarma’s goons threw four stones at our vehicle and smashed the glass of the vehicle carrying AICC Secretary Manoj Chauhan. Their objective is to spread fear and violence so that we cannot campaign,” Baghel told the gathering.

Lok Sabha MP Gogoi also criticised the BJP and urged voters to respond to what he described as the party’s alleged violent activities through the ballot box. “There is no strength in the stones thrown by the BJP.

The real strength lies in the votes on the fingers of the people of Nagaon,” he said. Congress candidate Sibamoni Bora said large stones were thrown at the convoy, smashing the glass beside the seat where she was sitting.

“But I want to make it clear that I am not someone who can be intimidated,” she said. Bora also expressed confidence that nobody could stop her if she had the blessings of the people.