Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took a sharp dig at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of encouraging “encroachers and land jihadis” to unlawfully occupy government land. Sarma alleged that Gandhi’s recent remarks have directly emboldened illegal settlers.
“He [Rahul Gandhi] said encroachers will be rehabilitated in the same place and given houses. He didn’t realise that people cannot just settle down on forest land,” Sarma said, criticizing Gandhi’s statements during his recent rally.
According to the Chief Minister, Gandhi’s comments contributed to a violent incident that unfolded earlier that day during an eviction drive in the Paikan reserve forest area. Protesters allegedly hurled stones and attacked forest guards and police personnel with weapons. As a result, 21 police officers were injured, and one encroacher was killed in police firing. Two others were hospitalized with injuries.
Goalpara District Commissioner Prodip Timung confirmed that the eviction team was attacked with sticks and stones when they attempted to clear encroachments from the forest reserve.
A case has been registered, and CM Sarma stated that authorities will scrutinize speeches made by Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge during their Assam visit. “If their speeches are found to have incited violence, appropriate legal action will be taken,” Sarma warned.
He also took a swipe at Congress leader Robert Vadra, noting that several of his properties were seized by the Enforcement Directorate. “Many jails are waiting for the Gandhis,” Sarma remarked.
Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by Mallikarjun Kharge, held a closed-door meeting with senior Congress leaders in Guwahati and later addressed a party workers’ gathering in Chaygaon.
