Akhil Gogoi warns of communal unrest, slams Assam government over arms license move

Raijor Dal President and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi has accused the Assam government of setting the stage for communal violence ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. In a press conference on Thursday, Gogoi alleged that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is pushing a “dangerous political strategy” by allowing the issuance of arms licenses to indigenous people in selected districts.

 

Gogoi described the move as a calculated attempt to stir Hindu-Muslim tensions under the guise of protecting local communities. “When the government says it cannot protect the indigenous people, it means the Home Department has failed. It is a shame. If the government cannot provide security, then the Chief Minister and Home Minister must resign,” he said.

 

According to Gogoi, the policy is not about safety but political gain. He alleged that the licenses are being distributed to empower members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), creating fear among minorities, particularly Muslims. “This is not a small decision. It is a decision that can divide Assam and destroy peace before the 2026 elections,” he said.

 

Drawing parallels with the past, Gogoi reminded reporters that similar communal strategies were employed during the Congress era when Sarma was part of that party. “Now, since Sarma is in BJP and facing declining support, he is repeating the same tactics,” he added.

 

He also raised concerns over the identification of individuals as illegal immigrants, including professionals like teachers. Gogoi accused the administration of using this as a method to spread fear and target specific communities. “This is a clear attempt to create fear and division among the people,” he said.

 

Further, Gogoi warned of a broader pattern. He claimed that after the introduction of arms licenses, the next steps involve identifying people as foreigners and leveraging local organisations to escalate tensions. “We are seeing this pattern. First, arms licenses are given. Then, some people are picked up as illegal immigrants. Now, they are using organisations to spread hate. This is a dangerous strategy,” he said.

 

Gogoi rejected the government's justification that the move is meant to protect indigenous groups. Instead, he urged authorities to focus on real law enforcement solutions. “If the government really cares about the indigenous people, then it should deploy more CRPF forces, build more police stations, and improve law and order. But giving arms to common people and the RSS is not the solution,” he stated.

 

He demanded that the Assam Cabinet revoke the arms license policy and make all related documents public. Gogoi warned of protests if the decision is not reversed. “This will only lead to chaos and a communal clash. We condemn this move strongly. If the government does not step back, we will launch strong protests,” he said.

 

Calling the situation a “complete failure” of the current administration, Gogoi concluded, “Assam’s society is in danger. Its population is losing peace. This is the result of the wrong policies of the current government.”