A Congress worker, Mridul Islam (45), tragically died on Wednesday after being exposed to tear gas shells during a protest organized by the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) in Guwahati. Islam, an advocate and secretary of the APCC’s legal cell, collapsed during the police crackdown and later passed away at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
The protest was part of the nationwide “Raj Bhavan Chalo” demonstration, where Congress members opposed the installation of smart meters, the BJP government’s refusal to address the Manipur crisis, corruption allegations against the Adani Group, and the ‘one nation, one election’ Bill.
“This is not a death; this is a murder,” said Bhupen Kumar Borah, State Congress President. “The Himanta Biswa Sarma government planned this brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters. Mridul Islam is the first martyr in our fight against this corrupt regime.”
Videos of the protest showed journalists and demonstrators struggling after being exposed to tear gas. Congress leaders accused the police of using excessive force, alleging that tear gas was fired directly at Islam.
The party has filed a First Information Report (FIR) at the Latasil Police Station, demanding an independent investigation and strict action against the responsible officers. “We also seek adequate compensation for Mridul Islam’s family,” said a senior Congress leader.
Earlier in the day, hundreds of Congress workers marched toward the Raj Bhavan with placards and slogans targeting the BJP and industrialist Gautam Adani. The protest escalated as police used tear gas to disperse the crowd and detained several top Congress leaders.
