Cong worker dies of 'tear gas smoke' during protest in Guwahati

Guwahati: A Congress worker lost his life and many others sustained injuries allegedly from tear gas smoke used by the police during a protest here on Wednesday.

The demonstration was part of the nationwide Raj Bhawan Chalo campaign, addressing various concerns including the Manipur unrest, corruption allegations against Adani Group, and issues with prepaid smart electricity meters.

Congress claimed advocate Mridul Islam (45), from Boko in Kamrup district and secretary of the party's state legal cell, died after collapsing due to "excessive and unlawful use of tear gas." The police countered this, stating that "no injury mark on the body of the deceased was found in the magisterial inquest, and the precise cause of death would be ascertained after the post-mortem examination."

The incident occurred when numerous Congress supporters were marching towards the Governor's House as part of the nationwide programme. A clash ensued between protesters and police, leading to the detention of state party president Bhupen Kumar Borah and former Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora after they fell during the confrontation.

Islam fell ill during the incident and was taken to a private hospital initially, before being transferred to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where he was declared dead.

The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee lodged an FIR at Latashil police station, demanding a thorough independent investigation into the incident to identify police officers responsible for Islam's death. They also requested compensation for his family.

The FIR stated that while the party was conducting a peaceful rally, police unnecessarily used excessive tear gas on protesters, resulting in Islam's death.

Guwahati police commissioner Diganta Barah said over 1000 protesters gathered without permission at a primary school playground en route to the Governor's House. Police established barricades at three points — outside the playground, at the Brahmaputra guest house rotary, and between the rotary and the Governor's House.

According to Barah, despite police warnings, protesters breached the first two barricades before being stopped at the third.

Regarding the tear gas incident, the commissioner said, "No force was used on the protesters. Tear gas smoke was not fired, but three shells were rolled on the ground to disperse the protesters." He added that initial probe showed Islam had reported feeling unwell before being taken to a private hospital at Ambari by associates, followed by referral to GMCH.

"At GMCH, he was pronounced dead. Magisterial inquest shows no injury mark on his body. The exact cause of death will be determined after the post mortem examination," he said.

Congress declared its intention to continue its anti-corruption protests, acknowledging Islam's death.