Assam Congress Files EC Complaint Following Violent Attack on Naduar Candidate Sunil Kumar Chhetri

The Assam Congress has formally lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (EC), condemning a physical assault on Sunil Kumar Chhetri, the party's candidate for the Naduar assembly constituency. The incident, which left Chhetri and several party workers injured, has sparked intense political tension ahead of the state elections.

The Attack At Napam Bypass

The attack occurred on March 30, 2026, at approximately 3:00 PM, while Chhetri was out campaigning. According to the formal complaint, a scuffle broke out at the Napam Bypass in Sonitpur district when a group of men armed with sticks and batons attacked the Congress convoy.

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The complaint states that the assailants severely beat Chhetri, leaving him injured. Senior Congress spokesperson Rupa Kalita and several other party workers were also attacked in the altercation. A video uploaded to X by the Assam Congress shows Chhetri lying on the ground, groaning in pain, surrounded by supporters attending to him.

Based on eyewitness accounts and visual evidence, the complaint by Assam Congress names Mehabub Alam, President of the Chowkighat Gaon Panchayat, and Mujahidul Alam as the prime accused in the attack.

High Stakes In Naduar

The Naduar seat is witnessing a fiercely competitive electoral battle this year. Sunil Kumar Chhetri, a prominent leader of the Gorkha community and former president of the All Assam Gorkha Students Union (AAGSU), has generated significant grassroots momentum.

He is going head-to-head against heavyweight sitting BJP MLA Padma Hazarika, who previously represented the erstwhile Sootea constituency before the recent delimitation exercise carved out Naduar.

Congress Alleges Police Complicity And Demands Action

In a letter signed on March 31, 2026, Assam Congress President and Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogoi demanded strict action against local law enforcement. Gogoi alleged that police personnel were present at the scene but failed to intervene or immediately file an FIR against the attackers.

Furthermore, Gogoi demanded the suspension and transfer of Sonitpur's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Barun Purkayastha, accusing him of gross inaction. Gogoi’s complaint also highlighted a worrying pattern of electoral violence, referencing a similar scuffle on March 28, 2026. He voiced his concern that complaints filed by opposition members frequently go unnoticed, whereas swift and strict action is taken on grievances raised by the ruling BJP.

Senior Assam Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora strongly condemned the incident on X, stating:

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Latest Developments 

Following the attack, Chhetri and the injured Congress workers were admitted to Tezpur Medical College for medical treatment. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from civil society groups, including the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP), which expressed deep outrage and demanded enhanced security for Chhetri.

In response to the allegations, sitting BJP MLA Padma Hazarika has vehemently refuted claims of BJP involvement. Pushing back against the Congress narrative, Hazarika challenged the opposition, stating he would retire from active politics if it could be proven that BJP workers orchestrated the attack, and hinted that the incident might have been staged to garner voter sympathy.

As of now, the Election Commission of India is reviewing the formal complaint and the viral video footage. While the EC has yet to issue a definitive ruling or order transfers, the administration faces mounting pressure to act swiftly. With political temperatures rising in Assam, the commission's next steps will be critical in ensuring a free, fair, and safe democratic process.

(Rh)

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