Guwahati: The aftermath of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee's (APCC) protest march on December 18 has left the political atmosphere charged and highly contentious. The protest, dubbed ‘Raj Bhavan Chalo’, aimed at raising awareness about several pressing issues, including the controversial Adani scandal, the unrest in Manipur, and the demand for the withdrawal of smart meters. Unfortunately, the demonstration turned tragic when Congress leader Mridul Islam was fatally injured by police tear gas.
The scene outside Raj Bhavan quickly escalated when police deployed tear gas to disperse the protestors, leading to chaos and confusion. Jayanta Deka, a Guwahati-based independent journalist present at the scene, described the moment when tear gas was launched: 'It was all of a sudden, and several journalists got injured.' He recalled how the situation changed dramatically as APCC President Bhupen Borah was addressing the crowd. 'The tear gas shells fell before us like a bolt from the blue,' he said. That sudden turn of events caught everyone off guard.
Islam, who was near Borah and participating actively as the protest unfolded, was struck by one of the tear gas shells and collapsed. Deka remarked on how tragic it was, considering the distance to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) was only about six kilometers. Despite quick efforts to rush him to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
The police have defended their actions, with Guwahati Commissioner of Police Diganta Barah alleging the Congress had not secured permission for the protest and had crossed established barricades. He stated, “We did not fire tear gas but rolled the canisters on the ground”, sparking even more outrage as footage surfaced showing police firing the tear gas directly at protestors. Congress leaders quickly refuted Barah's claims with documentation showing prior notice of the protest was issued.
The news of Mridul Islam's death sent shockwaves through the community. An active member of the Congress's Legal Cell and known for his grassroots activism, Islam's loss is felt deeply by his associates and family. Mohsin Khan, spokesperson for the APCC, described his death as 'a direct attack on democracy,' underlining the painful irony of such violence during peaceful protests.
The protests did not stop with the event itself. Following the outpouring of grief and shock, journalists across Assam commenced protests condemning the police's actions as blatant attacks on press freedom. At the Guwahati Press Club, members donned black badges and marched, demanding accountability and justice for their injured fellow journalists. Amarendra Deka, a seasoned journalist, recounted his experience being hit by tear gas during the protest, lamenting, 'I have never seen such a situation.'
Adding to the turmoil, civil rights advocates are questioning the overall conduct of the Assam Police. Paresh Malakar expressed grave concerns stating, 'Did the police follow the standard operating procedures? Tear gas has never killed anyone before. This needs a full investigation.' His remarks resonate with broader concerns about police brutality and the risks posed to citizens exercising their right to protest.
Congress leaders have promised support for Islam’s family, pledging financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh and offering potential political opportunities for his widow. Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced plans for a police inquiry but has shifted some blame onto the Congress party for alleged breaches of decorum during the protest.
The circumstances of Mridul Islam's death and the violent response from law enforcement continue to reverberate across not just Assam but the entire nation, igniting discussions around police conduct, press freedom, and the right to assemble. Prominent voices within the Congress and other civic platforms are calling for extensive investigations and accountability measures. The narrative is not just about one tragic event but reflects larger issues at stake concerning democracy and civil rights.
While the Congress party rallies to support their fallen comrade’s family, the broader public conversation demands introspection and reform concerning police actions and safety during protests.
