GUWAHATI: Congress’ Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra hit a roadblock in Assam after an FIR was lodged in Jorhat against the organiser for diverting from the permitted route.
The FIR accuses KB Byju of steering the yatra through Jorhat town instead of proceeding as authorised towards K.B. Road, leading to a “stampede-like situation”.
The unexpected influx of people allegedly caused falls and injuries, prompting the Jorhat Sadar Police Station to register a suo motu police report against the yatra and its organiser.
Officials claim that the yatra breached road safety regulations and failed to comply with district administration rules, as outlined in the FIR.
The incident involved alleged assaults on on-duty police personnel and damage to barricades, resulting in injuries to several individuals, including women.
A case has been registered under various sections, including 120(B)/115(II)/143/147/188/283/323/353 r/w Section 3 of PDPP Act against KB Byju and others at Jorhat Police Station.
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Assam opposition leader Debabrata Saikia criticised the FIR, alleging it to be a tactic to impede the yatra.
Saikia claimed the traffic diversion at the PWD point was unattended by police, necessitating a brief detour, and accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of attempting to sabotage the yatra’s success.
Earlier on January 18, the yatra encountered a protest by former Youth Congress member accusing Indian Youth Congress leader Srinivas BV of harassment.
Angkita Dutta, during a sit-in in Sivsagar, had expressed her hope for justice in the matter, asserting, “I was expelled for seeking justice against an oppressor.”
Soon after, a war of words erupted between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, leading the yatra, and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Responding to Gandhi’s criticism of Assam having “probably the most corrupt government”, Sarma accused the Gandhi family of being the most “corrupt and duplicate” in the country.
The Assam leg of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is set to continue until January 25, covering 17 districts and 833 km.
The yatra aims to traverse 6,713 km over 67 days, visiting 110 districts across 15 states.
