Guwahati, July 18 -- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of encouraging encroachers and emboldening them with his words to attack security forces in Goalpara, leading to the death of one illegal settler in retaliatory police firing. Chief Minister said the violent incident at Paikan reserve forest a day after Gandhi's visit is the "disastrous legacy" of the Congress leader, claiming that his "irresponsible rhetoric" has endangered lives and peace in the State.
"Rahul Gandhi came to Assam and openly encouraged encroachers to occupy forest land," Sarma asserted, referring to the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha's day-long visit to the State on Wednesday. Accompanied by Congress president...