Four youths were arrested in Guwahati on Monday. Nearly 1 million pamphlets containing allegations against the BJP-led NDA government and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were recovered from their vehicle. The arrests came amid preparations for the assembly elections in the city. Police said the arrested youths have been identified as Rekibul Haque, Joylal Abedin, Akshay Kumar Bordoloi, and Pranjit Patar.
Seizure and Legal Action
Police have registered Case No. 135/26 at the Dispur police station in this matter. The four youths have been charged under sections 61(2), 152, 175, 196, 197, and 353 of the Indian Penal Code. According to police, the vehicle was searched after receiving a complaint about the truck in the Rukmini Nagar area late last night. Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Tabu Ram Pegu said that a large quantity of pamphlets was recovered from the vehicle. These pamphlets contained serious allegations against the Chief Minister and were planned to be distributed widely.
Congress’s Allegations and Election Controversy
In this case, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) leaders visited the Dispur police station and described the police action as politically motivated. APCC Women’s President Meera Borthakur said that the recovered pamphlets were reprints of the charge sheet issued during Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s visit to Assam on February 19. She alleged that the police took this action to prevent the pamphlets from reaching the public. She said that the election code of conduct was not in effect, so any material should have been investigated by the Election Commission, not the police.
Investigation Underway and Political Reaction
Police are now trying to determine where the pamphlets were printed, who funded them, and how they were to be distributed. The Deputy Commissioner stated that this action was taken to maintain law and order during this sensitive time. Meanwhile, the Congress party has demanded the immediate release of the youth and said that the party will take legal action. Political analysts believe that this issue may further increase political tension in Assam before the assembly elections.
