Assam: Violence mars Congress meeting in Nilambazar, intra-party clash sparks political tension

A Congress party meeting held in Sribhumi's Nilambazar spiraled into chaos late Sunday, July 27 night after a violent clash erupted between two party members in the presence of top leadership, exposing internal rift.

The altercation reportedly broke out between Riju Ahmed Talukdar, representative of the Kaliganj Zilla Parishad member, and Congress worker Afzal Hussain during a meeting attended by Congress state observer Nasir Khan and district president Tapas Purkayastha. Heated exchanges allegedly triggered by derogatory remarks made by Talukdar against senior party workers escalated into physical violence.

Both the state observer and the district president reportedly sustained injuries while attempting to intervene. The Nilambazar Police had to be urgently called in to restore order. However, tension remains high in the region, with a heavy gathering of Congress supporters witnessed at the Nilambazar police station well into the night.

Speaking to reporters after the incident, Afzal Hussain claimed that the clash stemmed from his protest against the alleged allocation of a Congress ticket to a BJP agent in exchange for money during the panchayat elections. He accused Riju Ahmed Talukdar of physically assaulting him in retaliation for raising objections.

The incident has sparked fresh concerns over factionalism within the Congress party in the Barak Valley, especially coming a day after senior Congress leader and MP Gaurav Gogoi's visit to Hailakandi. Political analysts suggest that the episode may further dent the party’s image and expose simmering discontent at the grassroots level.