Assam CM Blames Rahul Gandhi For Police Firing On Goalpara Evictees

In his first response following the brutal police firing at Paikan Reserve Forest in Assam’s Goalpara district, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has squarely blamed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for instigating the violence.

Taking to the social media platform 'X' on Thursday, the Assam Chief Minister claimed that Rahul Gandhi’s recent visit to Assam had "encouraged encroachers" to forcibly occupy protected forest land. 

In his post, Assam CM wrote, “Rahul Gandhi came to Assam and openly encouraged encroachers to occupy forest land. Emboldened by his reckless words, today a violent mob attacked our police and forest personnel while attempting to forcefully encroach upon the Paikan Reserve Forest.”

“In the line of duty, 21 brave police officers and forest guards suffered grievous injuries. Left with no choice, the police had to open fire to restore order - leading to the unfortunate death of one encroacher,” he added.

Terming this as his "disastrous legacy", CM Sarma described the incident as a direct fallout of Rahul Gandhi’s “irresponsible rhetoric,” accusing him of endangering lives and disrupting peace in the state.

Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote, “This is the disastrous legacy of Rahul Gandhi’s one-day visit to Assam. His irresponsible rhetoric has directly endangered lives and disrupted peace in our state. The people of Assam will neither forget nor forgive this betrayal.”

Rahul Gandhi came to Assam and openly encouraged encroachers to occupy forest land. Emboldened by his reckless words, today a violent mob attacked our police and forest personnel while attempting to forcefully encroach upon the Paikan Reserve Forest.

In the line of duty, 21…

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 17, 2025

It may be mentioned that an eviction drive led by Assam Police and the Forest Department in Goalpara’s Paikan Reserve Forest took a violent turn, leaving one person dead and another injured after police reportedly opened fire on alleged encroachers.

The situation escalated when a large group of residents, said to be occupying forest land illegally, allegedly resisted the eviction team’s advance. According to sources, tensions flared as some in the crowd reportedly attacked the police personnel and attempted to halt the operation.

In response, police resorted to firing to disperse the mob, resulting in one fatality and one injury. Unconfirmed reports also suggest that some police personnel sustained injuries in the clash.

The deceased has been identified as Shakuar Hussain, while the injured individual has been identified as Kutubuddin Sheikh. Police said that the firing was carried out in self-defence after the eviction team allegedly came under attack.

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