Akhil Gogoi vows to make Himanta Sarma pay for “fake encounter deaths” if Opposition wins

Guwahati

Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi has vowed to end the political existence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma by “making him pay for fake encounter deaths” if the Opposition alliance comes to power after the April 9 polls.

Assembly Elections updates on March 28, 2026

Campaigning for Pradip Kumar Barua, his party’s candidate from central Assam’s Kaliabor constituency late Friday (March 27, 2026) evening, Mr. Gogoi accused the Chief Minister of being responsible for 80 alleged fake encounter killings. “We will file as many cases against Himanta Biswa Sarma if we form the government,” he said. Most of those killed in the alleged fake encounters were Muslims, who were accused of committing crimes.

“Let alone break the backbone, we will end Himanta Biswa Sarma’s political existence by putting him behind bars,” Mr. Gogoi said, reacting to the Chief Minister’s vow to “break the backbone” of “Bangladesh Miyas” during a Bharatiya Janata Party rally in northeastern Assam’s Dhakuakhana on Friday.

“Miya” is a pejorative term in Assam, used for Bengali-speaking Muslims.

Mr. Gogoi also criticised Mr. Sarma for allegedly deceiving the State’s women with his “false promise” to waive their microfinance loans.