Assam: Clashes erupt between factions of UPPL in Chirang ahead of BTC elections, one seriously injured

Tensions flared in Gorubhasa, Chirang district, late last night as two factions of the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) engaged in a violent clash ahead of the upcoming Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections.

During the altercation, Bipul Mushahary, the President of the VCDC (Village Council Development Committee) and a senior UPPL leader, was seriously injured following an alleged group assault by fellow party workers. He sustained injuries to his head and multiple parts of his body, and is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bongaigaon.

According to Bipul Mushahary’s wife, Sanchumoi Mushahary, the incident began when a few primary-level UPPL workers from Gorubhasa visited their residence and became involved in an argument. The situation escalated rapidly, and they allegedly physically assaulted Bipul Mushahary. She further claimed that the attackers even brandished a pistol and issued death threats before fleeing the scene.

Later, Bipul Mushahary went to the UPPL’s primary party office in Gorubhasa to report the incident to senior leaders. Shockingly, he was allegedly attacked again within the office premises by the same group of party workers. Eyewitness accounts suggest that none of the party officials or members present attempted to intervene during the second assault.

Following the attack, his family rushed him to a hospital in Bongaigaon. Meanwhile, counter-allegations have also surfaced, accusing Bipul Mushahary of threatening party workers with a machete at the office.

A First Information Report (FIR) has not yet been registered due to some clerical errors during the initial complaint filing. However, the Gorubhasa Police Outpost has assured that a corrected version of the complaint will be registered the next day.

In the complaint, Sanchumoi Mushahary named Shubharaj Basumatary, Kabul Basumatary, Brahmajit Basumatary, Birbal Basumatary, Doidoin Basumatary, Jayanta Basumatary, and Phakhan Narzary as the accused who allegedly attempted to murder her husband.

Sources also revealed that the altercation may have stemmed from a recent public dispute between Bipul Mushahary and Shubharaj Basumatary, which had been widely circulated on social media. The video reportedly showed Bipul levelling multiple allegations against Shubharaj, leading to internal tension within the Gorubhasa unit of UPPL. The assault is now being viewed as an extension of that unresolved conflict.