AGP attack on Sangma rally

GUWAHATI, March 4: A group of 60 Asom Gana Parishad workers today disrupted a public rally addressed by NCP leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Purno A. Sangma and former Assam home minister Bhrigu Kumar Phukan. The AGP activists snatched the microphones and ransacked the dais which led to a clash between the rallyists and the attackers. Police resorted to a lathicharge to disperse the groups. The meeting was jointly organised by the NCP and Phukan's Asom Jatiya Sanmilan to kick off their election campaign. Phukan described the incident as an "act of cowardice on part of the AGP and a manifestation of moral defeat of the Prafulla Kumar Mahanta government. "The attack was a clear indication that the forthcoming Assembly polls in the state would not be free and fair," Phukan said. He said Sangma would also write to the Election Commission apprising it of the incident and seek necessary action in this regard. The suspended AGP leader also said the NCP and Asom Jatiya Sanmilan have reached an understanding for the forthcoming Assembly polls and the two parties are ready to forge a tie with likeminded parties other than the Congress, AGP and the BJP. "It is the need of the hour to fight the AGP, BJP and the Congress in Assam as the development of the entire Northeast depended on this state," Sangma said. That is the reason why five parties have come together to form the front, he added. The meeting was also attended by former Chief Minister Sarat Chandra Sinha.