Gunmen open fire at political rally in Assam

Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation candidate Dr Jayanta Rongpi became the target of poll-related violence in Assam, when unidentified gunmen opened fire at his public rally at Disobai under Bokoliaghat police station, on Monday afternoon. A woman, who had come to attend the rally, was injured in the attack.

According to the police, gunmen opened fire at Rongpi while he was preparing to deliver his speech in the meeting.

The CPI-ML leader managed to escape the attack but Basapi Taropi, 65, was seriously injured in the attack.

The CPI-ML leader has been holding a series of public rallies in different tribal hamlets in the insurgency-affected Diphu constituency since February 25 as part of its poll strategy.

Rongpi alleged that his political rivals were behind the attack. The gunmen managed to flee the scene after opening fire.

The CPI-ML has expressed apprehension over the attack and said that it could be an indication of the violence that may unfold in Diphu constituency, which includes the insurgency-affected hill districts of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills in Assam.

The party has demanded better security arrangement in the hill districts before polls. The veteran CPI-ML leader and former Member of Parliament is pitted against sitting Congress MP Biren Singh Ingti and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Kulendra Doulagopo in Diphu.