According to reports, unidentified men attacked the convoy of Sunil Kumar Chhetri, Congress candidate from Naduar Assembly constituency. File | Photo credit: PTI
The Assam Congress on Monday (March 30, 2026) condemned the attack on one of its candidates for the April 9 assembly elections.
According to reports, unidentified men attacked the convoy of Sunil Kumar Chhetri, Congress candidate from Naduar Assembly constituency, around 3:00 pm while he was traveling for election campaign. The incident took place near the Napam bypass area at Naduar in north Assam’s Sonitpur district.
Party members said he collapsed during the scuffle and had to be taken to a private hospital for treatment. A video circulating on social media showed him lying on the ground, moaning, surrounded by people, including police officers.
State Congress president Gaurav Gogoi demanded the immediate arrest of the perpetrators of the “brutal attack” on 44-year-old Chhetri and accused the administration of working in favor of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
“…such cowardly acts reveal BJP’s desperation and fear of losing ground. In a democracy, every citizen has the right to speak, campaign and hold peaceful rallies without intimidation,” Congress leader and Barchally candidate Ripun Bora wrote on X.
Mr. Chhetri is the only rival of BJP legislator Padma Hazarika, who represented the former Sootea constituency in Naduar.
The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) has expressed deep shock and outrage over the alleged attempt on the life of a Gorkha candidate. The organization condemned the incident, calling it a cowardly act and a direct attack on democratic values and principles.
“We urge the authorities to immediately provide increased security to Sunil Chhetri. If another alleged candidate is found to be the mastermind of the attack, he must be charged and if found guilty, he must be barred from contesting the elections,” said Assam BGP unit general secretary Nanda Kirati Dewan.
A former president of the All Assam Gorkha Students’ Union, Mr. Chhetri championed the cause of the Gorkha community, championing identity, rights and empowerment.
Published – 30 March 2026 22:49 IST
