BJP cries foul on police crackdown on its leaders and cadres

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Dec 29: The BJP in Assam cried foul on, what it said, the crackdown of the police on the leaders and cadres of the party after the mob violence in front of Rajiv Bhavan on GS Road yesterday. The party said that Dispur has misused the State police and civil administrations against the BJP.

Talking to newsmen in the city today, State BJP leaders Shantanu Bharali said: “Dispur has asked the civil and police administrations in the State to crack down against the leaders and cadres of the BJP. In an unprecedented move on the part of the State Government, the police went to Atal Behari Vajpayee Bhavan in the city today and created a war-like situation there. On their own, the police filed a suo mottu case (256/15) in connection with the mob attack in front of Rajiv Bhavan yesterday. This is not all. The police started atrocities on our leaders and cadres. Our party general secretary Bijay Gupta has been arrested from near the airport and taken him like an ordiry crimil. The police are not disclosing who they want to arrest. They made the situation tense near the residence of BJP spokesperson Rupam Goswami last night. ”

Bharali said that Dispur would have to suffer for this. “We’ve filed a case against a few Congressmen at Bhangagarh police station (258/15). Even though we have med the accused, the police are yet to act. They should issue notice. We’ll help them,” Bharali said, and added: “We’re going to stage a token hunger strike at all district headquarters in the State tomorrow in protest against Dispur misusing the police and civil administrations against us.”

Bharali further said: “Deka’s comment against women isn’t something that can never be swallowed. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi termed the BJP as a killer party. This level of his statement smacks of what his mental condition is. The police have been on the trail of a number of BJP leaders and cadres so as to throw poor light on the party in front of the people. Without investigating the case properly, the rampant harassment on BJP workers by the police isn’t fair. The police should issue notice, and we’ll help them. While returning from Deka’s house yesterday, somebody might have instigated the party workers to protest in front of Rajiv Bhavan.”