‘Go back’ slogans, black flags during Congress rally in Assam’s Dhing; Sibamoni Bora effigy burnt

A Congress bike rally in Assam’s Dhing Assembly constituency witnessed protests on September 24, with a section of local residents raising “Go Back” slogans, displaying black flags and burning an effigy of Congress candidate Sibamoni Bora.

The rally, organised as part of the Congress campaign for the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election, began from the party’s Rajiv Bhawan in Dhing and proceeded towards different areas of the constituency.

The situation reportedly turned tense when the rally reached Dhaniabhati Poali Bazar, where protesters gathered and displayed black flags.

The protesters also raised slogans against Sibamoni Bora and Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi, according to reports from the area.

An effigy resembling Sibamoni Bora was also reportedly burnt by the protesters.

The reason for the protest was not immediately clear, although protesters had earlier raised objections to Bora’s presence and alleged that she had not done enough work in the area during her tenure as an MLA. These allegations were made by the protesters and have not been independently verified.

The Nagaon Lok Sabha seat is going to a bypoll on October 6, with Bora contesting as the Congress candidate. The election campaign has intensified in the constituency ahead of polling.

The protests also come amid heightened political activity in Nagaon, where Congress leaders have recently alleged attacks on their campaign convoy. 

The Congress has blamed the BJP, while Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has rejected the allegation and described the episode as a clash between rival factions within the Congress.