Will scan Rahul & Kharge’s speeches: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the state police would scan the speeches of AICC leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge delivered at Boko in the Kamrup district to ascertain if the two speeches were loaded with elements that could have provoked the mob attack on police and forest personnel at Paikan in the Goalpara district on July 17, 2025. If they find any provocative elements in their speeches, Gandhi and Kharge will come under investigation.

Speaking to the media here today, the Chief Minister said that the police have already arrested ten people in connection with the Paikan mob attack. "The eviction drive at Paikan Reserve Forest is complete now. We'll start plantation there soon," he said.

The Chief Minister said that a section of people from Goalpara came to the Congress meeting at Boko, heard the speeches, left for Paikan, and provoked the evicted people. The mob attack took place the very next day, he said, adding, "This is the typical pattern of the Congress."

Giving a brief description of the massive encroachment of forest lands at Uriamghat in the Golaghat district, the Chief Minister said, "Some Matabbars (browbeaters) encroached upon thousands of bighas of forest lands, felled trees, and sowed betel nut plants there. They hired workers from lower Assam and other places and engaged them as betel nut farmers. They illegally bring Burmese suparis, mix them with the local products, and run a roaring business."

The Chief Minister said, "Maybe the matabbars have engaged some Bangladeshi people, and maybe some from West Bengal too. We cannot distinguish them, as they speak the same language and get blended seamlessly. We've even identified some Bengali-speaking encroachers in Assam from Manipur. Lakhimpur Police detained 12 Bengali-speaking people hailing from Nagaon and Manipur. Maybe, they have a plan to encroach upon lands there. We'll carry out an eviction drive at Uriamghat. However, that will take time."

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi Confident of Winning 2026 Assam Polls Under Gaurav Gogoi.

Also Watch: