Pre-poll violence takes serious turn in Samaguri; gunshots fired at BJP MLA Jitu Goswami’s car; PSO injured, Goswami escapes unhurt

GUWAHATI, Nov 10: Political violence in Samuguri constituency has taken a serious and worrying turn with miscreants, whom the BJP alleged were Congress and their henchmen, firing three rounds of bullets at the car of Barhampur MLA Jitu Goswami last night.

The incident took place at Mori Puthikhaity in Samuguri.

Jitu Goswami, who was in the vehicle and was campaigning for BJP candidate Diplu Ranjan Sarmah, escaped unhurt although one of his PSOs was injured while the vehicle suffered damages following the attack.

“We were passing through the area when stones were first pelted on us and then three shots were fired from the house of a Congress worker. I was in my car along with Suresh Bora and my PSOs. I escaped unhurt but one of my PSOs was injured,” Jitu Goswami told News Live, and added: “The Congress leader is harbouring terrorists and they should be arrested.”

“We had to run for our lives. The Congress is involved in the attack and strict action should be taken against those involved in the violence,” another BJP leader said.

“Shots were fired at the vehicle of Barhampur MLA Jitu Goswami. Rakibul Hussain is trying to create fear psychosis among the minds of voters and today’s incident is no incident. Even journalists have been targeted. Rakibul Hussain knows that his son Tanzil will lose the by-polls this time and therefore he is resorting to violence. Police have launched an investigation and I hope the culprits will be arrested very soon,” Minister Bimal Borah, who was also campaigning in Samuguri, told News Live after the incident.

Samaguri will go to by-polls on Nov 13 along with four other constituencies.

Results will be declared on Nov 23.