Sri Vijaya Puram: The Andaman & Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC) organised a mass Black Day Protest in Sri Vijaya Puram against what the party described as an assault on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
The protest was organised following directions from the All India Congress Committee (AICC). According to the ANTCC statement, ANTCC President Rangalal Halder entrusted the responsibility of organising the protest to TSG Bhasker, Chairman of the Campaign Committee–ANTCC, who led the rally along with Congress leaders, office-bearers and workers.
The protest rally began from the Congress Office and proceeded towards the Clock Tower, passing through the Gandhi Statue.
Protesters confront police barricades
According to the Congress statement, police had placed barricades near the Gandhi Statue to stop the protesters. This resulted in a confrontation between the protesters and police personnel.
The ANTCC described the gathering as a mass protest involving hundreds of Congress leaders, office-bearers and workers.
The wider Black Day protests were called by the Congress amid the ongoing political confrontation over incidents involving Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders during protests in New Delhi. Congress announced October 8 as a day of nationwide protests after declaring October 7 a “Black Day” following confrontations between opposition MPs and Delhi Police.
Bhasker raises Form-7 FIR issue
During the protest, TSG Bhasker also raised the issue of an FIR relating to alleged fake Form-7 submissions by BJP workers in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
According to the ANTCC statement, Bhasker expressed concern over what he described as inaction by police authorities in the matter and demanded that appropriate action be taken in accordance with law.
The allegation concerning fake Form-7 submissions is presented here as a claim raised by Bhasker and the ANTCC.
Congress leaders participate
The protest was attended by John Robert, District President; Mohd. Zubair, City Congress President; Zubaida Begum, State President, Mahila Congress; Diksha Dular, State President, Youth Congress; M.A. Sajid, State President, NSUI; Saji Varghese, Chairman, Minority Department; O. Bashir, Chairman, RGPRS; R.K. Raj, Chairman, OBC Department; and Laxmi Narayan, Chairman, Fishermen Congress.
Several AICC members, TCC members, Block Presidents, Mandal Presidents, councillors, PRI members and Congress workers also participated, according to the party statement.