Guwahati, July 17 -- Assam Assembly Deputy Speaker Numal Momin on Thursday blamed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for encouraging encroachers, after police personnel were attacked by miscreants in the Paikan area of Goalpara district.

The attack took place days after a major eviction drive in the area.

Momin said the violence was a result of Rahul Gandhi's recent statement promising land and houses to the landless, and accused Congress of doing appeasement politics and going against the rule of law.

Speaking to ANI, Numal Momin said,"Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi said that when Congress comes to power, they will give land to the landless people and build their houses. They are encouraging the encroachers. Now, they are taking an extreme step in...