Guwahati: The streets of Lakhimpur resonated with slogans of “Down with land thieves” and “Down with cattle thieves” as the “Samay Parivartanor Yatra” (Journey for Change) led by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi reached the district on Friday.
Thousands of Congress leaders and workers gathered along the route to welcome Gogoi, who also led a foot march through the town. Supporters carried banners and posters reading “Long live Gaurav Gogoi,” “Long live Congress,” “Long live Rahul Gandhi,” “Long live Mallikarjun Kharge,” “Stop the cattle syndicate,” and “Land thieves resign.”
Slogans were also raised against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, with protesters accusing the BJP government of corruption and land-related irregularities.
Addressing a large public gathering, Gogoi said the yatra is titled “Journey for Change – Save Land, Save Identity,” stressing that land rights have become a serious issue in Assam. He alleged that under the Basundhara scheme, ordinary people are unable to secure land pattas, while influential individuals receive advance information about available land.
He further claimed that nearly 40,000 bighas of tribal land belonging to Bodo, Rabha, and Karbi communities had been handed over to corporate groups such as Adani Group, Reliance Industries (Ambani), and Patanjali Ayurved. Calling the Chief Minister “anti-tribal,” Gogoi said that during the tenure of former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, tribal communities were empowered through development councils and greater autonomy.
Gogoi also accused the BJP government of betraying six communities over promises of Scheduled Tribe status and alleged that sections of the Bengali community were being unfairly labeled as “Bangladeshi” for political gain.
He claimed that Assam ranks poorly in healthcare and education while liquor shops are increasing across the state. “Every citizen now carries a debt burden of Rs 40,000,” he said, alleging that the government is relying on liquor revenue to repay loans.
He further alleged that unemployment has forced youth from Assam to migrate to cities like Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai and even Arunachal Pradesh, where they often feel insecure. He accused BJP leaders of operating coal and sand syndicates and cited alleged scams in areca nut trade, coal, and the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Referring to the death of PWD engineer Yoshita Das, Gogoi alleged that women in the state are not treated with dignity and claimed that police often fail to register cases, particularly those filed by women. He accused the government of misusing Assam Police for political purposes and said, “A particular family is taking over Assam’s land. History says no uncle is greater than the nation; today we say no aunt is greater than the nation.”
Earlier in the day, Gogoi began his Lakhimpur visit by offering prayers at Padumoni Than. Along with former APCC president Bhupen Kumar Borah, he also visited Lakhimpur Medical College.
However, tension briefly erupted during the visit to the medical college, where some alleged BJP supporters reportedly tried to obstruct Gogoi and Congress workers.
According to Congress leaders, BJP cadres attempted to disrupt the programme and created an unpleasant situation, with allegations of attempts to attack party members. Borah condemned the incident, accusing the BJP of being “frightened by the growing support for Congress” and deliberately trying to create disturbances.
In the evening, the yatra moved to Panigaon in Lakhimpur, where Gogoi addressed another large rally, concluding the day’s programme.
The event was attended by AICC Secretary in charge of Assam Manoj Chauhan, MP Rakibul Hussain, former MP Ranee Narah, senior vice president Ghan Burhagohain, Dr. Jayaprakash Das, and several other senior Congress leaders and workers.