Daijiworld Media Network – Guwahati

Guwahati, Jul 18: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday asserted that immediate action was taken by the police following the violence during an eviction drive in Goalpara's Paikan Reserve Forest. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, Sarma said, "In Assam Police, nothing is pending. We act immediately. Within one or two hours of the incident, we had taken action. Ten people have already been arrested."

The Chief Minister emphasized that his government does not believe in delays. “In our dictionary, we don’t delay or merely talk. We do. Our action is already complete in this case,” he added.

The remarks come a day after violence erupted during the eviction drive, where police reportedly opened fire, resulting in one death and one injury.

Reacting sharply to Sarma’s statements, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Ripun Bora accused the Chief Minister of misusing power and provoking unrest. “Himanta Biswa Sarma knows he will be thrown out in 2026. He’s scared and frustrated. Rahul Gandhi was right — he will have to go to jail,” said Bora.

Calling Sarma’s past remarks incendiary, Bora alleged, “He had openly said he would finish off people of Guwahati in six months and demolish Mia houses, temples, mosques, and schools. Is this what a Chief Minister in a democracy should say?”

The Congress leader further said his party stands for peace and the Constitution, unlike the BJP, which he accused of spreading violence and fear. “If he has the courage, let him summon Kharge ji and Rahul ji. The Chief Minister is making baseless allegations,” Bora said, warning that Sarma would have to face legal consequences in the future.