Guwahati: A Congress functionary was allegedly attacked with a sharp-edged weapon by a party colleague at a restaurant in Assam’s Sribhumi district on Monday evening, police and party sources said.
The injured leader, identified as 35-year-old Jillur Choudhury of the Umorpur area, a District Council member, sustained injuries to his hand and chest in the incident, which occurred around 6.30 pm in the Nilambazar area. He was first taken to Sribhumi Civil Hospital and was later referred to Silchar Medical College and Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment, Sribhumi district Congress president Tapash Purkayastha said.
Police said they were searching for the prime accused, Shahanaz Hussain, a local Congress leader who was reportedly aspiring for a party ticket in the state elections scheduled later this year.
Sources said the incident took place after a Congress organisational meeting earlier in the day at Nilambazar, which was attended by All India Congress Committee secretary Vikas Upadhyay, Sribhumi observer Nasir Khan and several district-level office-bearers. After the meeting, party leaders reportedly went to a nearby restaurant for tea, where a dispute broke out.
Meanwhile, Purkayastha dismissed reports suggesting the attack occurred during the meeting. “The incident did not take place at the meeting. We strongly condemn what happened. There appear to have been personal issues between the two individuals, and the party will take appropriate action,” he said.
During the altercation, Shahanaz Hussain, described as a probable Congress candidate from North Karimganj, allegedly attacked Choudhury with a sharp weapon, causing panic at the spot.
Doctors at Sribhumi Civil Hospital later referred the injured leader to Silchar Medical College and Hospital due to the severity of his injuries. The motive behind the assault is yet to be ascertained, and no official statement has been issued by the authorities so far.
The incident has sent shockwaves through Congress ranks in the district and has renewed concerns over internal discord within the party. This was the second reported incident of violence in the presence of Nasir Khan, who is currently serving as the party’s observer for Sribhumi.