"These are not part of Assamese culture. We are a peaceful state. Such “naxalite tactics” are completely alien to our culture," he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
"I have instructed DG Assam Police to register a case against your leader Rahul Gandhi for provoking the crowd & use the footage you have posted on your handles as the evidence. Your unruly behaviour and violation of agreed guidelines have resulted in a massive traffic jam in Guwahati now," he said, responding to a post on X by Youth Congress president Srinivas B V.
With reference to wanton acts of violence, provocation , damage to public property and assault on police personnel today by Cong members , a FIR has been registered against Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal , Kanhaiya Kumar and other individuals under section…
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 23, 2024
In his post, Srinivas alleged that conspiracies were being hatched to stop Gandhi's march by putting up barricades. He posted a video of Congress workers dismantling barricades to facilitate the yatra while constantly chanting "Rahul Gandhi zindabad".
Addressing media persons in Golaghat, Sarma said that Rahul Gandhi will not be arrested now but will face arrest after the Lok Sabha elections.
Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi fumed as the BJP-led Assam government stopped his rally upon entering Guwahati, media reports said.
A heavy battery of police officers was present at the Guwahati borders to stop the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, where Rahul led about 5,000 party workers.
Earlier, the Assam government had denied entry into the arterial roads of Guwahati stating Jan 23 is a working day and allowing the rally would disrupt traffic.