Congress slams attack on its candidate in Assam election

The Assam Congress on Monday (March 30, 2026) condemned the attack on one of its candidates for the April 9 Assembly election.

According to reports, unidentified men attacked the convoy of Sunil Kumar Chhetri, the Congress candidate from Naduar Assembly constituency, around 3 p.m. when he was travelling for an election campaign. The incident occurred near Napam Bypass area of Naduar in north-central Assam’s Sonitpur district.

Party members said he fell during a scuffle and had to be taken to a private hospital for treatment. A video circulating on social media showed him lying on the ground, groaning and surrounded by people, including police personnel.

State Congress president Gaurav Gogoi demanded the immediate arrest of the perpetrators of the “brutal attack” on the 44-year-old Chhetri and accused the administration of working in favour of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

“…such cowardly acts expose the BJP’s desperation and fear of losing ground. In a democracy, every citizen has the right to speak, campaign and hold peaceful rallies without intimidation,” Congress leader and Barchalla candidate Ripun Bora posted on X.

Mr. Chhetri is the only rival of BJP legislator Padma Hazarika, who represented the erstwhile Sootea constituency, in Naduar.

The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) expressed deep shock and outrage over the alleged attempt on the life of the Gorkha candidate. The organisation condemned the incident, terming it a cowardly act and a direct assault on democratic values and principles.

“We urge the authorities to provide enhanced security to Sunil Chhetri immediately. The mastermind of the attack, if proven to be another candidate as alleged, must be booked, and if found guilty, must be barred from contesting the elections,” the secretary general of the BGP’s Assam unit, Nanda Kirati Dewan, said.

A former president of All Assam Gorkha Students’ Union, Mr. Chhetri championed the cause of the Gorkha community, advocating for identity, rights, and empowerment.