Guwahati, October 9, 2026: Former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Ripun Bora has alleged police brutality after sustaining injuries during a Congress protest in Guwahati on Thursday. Bora was taken to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for treatment, following a confrontation between Congress protesters and police personnel near Rajiv Bhawan.
In a social media post on Friday, Bora described the incident as evidence of what he called the BJP government’s repression and the Assam Police’s excessive use of force. He said he was receiving treatment at GMCH and had required several stitches in his leg.
The incident occurred during a statewide Black Day observance organised by the Congress party to protest alleged police action against opposition leaders during demonstrations in New Delhi.
According to a report published by The Sentinel Assam, the Guwahati City District Congress Committee organised the rally from Rajiv Bhawan with support from the APCC. Police personnel stopped the protesters by placing barricades, leading to a confrontation between demonstrators and the police.
Congress leaders alleged that Bora was forcibly removed during the scuffle and suffered a leg injury requiring four stitches. The party also claimed that several other workers were injured and alleged that barricades prevented an ambulance from entering the Rajiv Bhawan premises after Bora was hurt.
In his social media post, Bora criticised the handling of peaceful protests and emphasised the importance of protecting constitutional rights and democratic freedoms. He maintained that police action and physical injuries would not weaken his resolve to continue the political struggle.
The confrontation also led to the detention of several senior Congress functionaries, according to the report. Those named included APCC General Secretary (Organisation) Ramanna Baruah, Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress president Mira Borthakur, Seva Dal chief Deep Bayan, All India Mahila Congress secretary Barnali Phukan, and former MLAs Binanda Saikia, Satyabrata Kalita and Aminul Islam.
Other members of the APCC, District Congress, Mahila Congress, Seva Dal, Youth Congress and National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) were also reportedly detained. The detainees were taken to the headquarters of the 4th Assam Police Battalion at Kahilipara and were reportedly released at around 5:30 pm.
The statewide demonstrations were linked to the Congress party’s opposition to what it described as excessive police action against opposition leaders during protests in Delhi. The national-level agitation focused on allegations concerning the Election Commission’s handling of electoral rolls and demands for greater accountability from the poll body.
Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have raised concerns about electoral transparency and the functioning of democratic institutions. The BJP and the Election Commission have rejected allegations of wrongdoing, while opposition parties have continued to demand greater accountability.
In Assam, Congress workers and leaders wore black bands and staged demonstrations in coordination with district and block-level party committees.
Bora’s injury has intensified political tensions between the Congress and the BJP-led government in Assam. The incident has also raised questions about the handling of political demonstrations and the protection of citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly.
While the Congress has accused police personnel of using excessive force, a complete assessment of the confrontation would require an official police response and independent verification of the competing claims. Bora, meanwhile, has maintained that the incident will not discourage him from continuing his political activities.
