A disturbing case has surfaced from Assam’s Jorhat district, raising serious questions about political intimidation, environmental rights, and the shrinking democratic space for peaceful dissent. A young activist, Debanga Sourav Gogoi was allegedly assaulted after publicly opposing a controversial artificial lake project planned in a wetland area. The incident has sparked outrage among civil society groups, with growing suspicion that political pressure and power play are being used to push forward the project and silence critics. The name of BJP MLA from Mariani, Rupjyoti Kurmi, has repeatedly come up in conversations around the project and the atmosphere of intimidation, although he denies any involvement.
According to accounts gathered by Northeast Scoop, the incident took place in late December 2025 after Gogoi participated in a public discussion on the environmental risks linked to the lake project. Gogoi, who is known in the region for his educational work in AI and robotics awareness, had raised what he described as basic and necessary demands. He questioned why the project was reportedly moving ahead without a transparent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and public consultation, both of which are standard procedures for ecologically sensitive constructions. Soon after this public stand, Gogoi was allegedly followed, targeted, and attacked by unidentified miscreants. The assault left him shaken and physically injured. He later said that the attackers hinted at political backing and warned him to stop raising objections if he wanted to stay safe.
Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition, Debabrata Saikia, reacted sharply to the incident through a Facebook post. He described Gogoi as a “highly educated and polite young man” and expressed shock that such violence could take place simply because someone questioned an environmental project. 
Adding weight to the seriousness of the case are two written complaints; one from Gogoi himself and another from the district unit of the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS).
In his own complaint to the police, Gogoi states that on January 2, 2026, he was attacked while returning home. He explained that the assault followed his objections to the artificial lake project and public questioning of whether required environmental permissions had been obtained. He wrote that his attackers verbally threatened him, implying that powerful people were backing the project and would ensure he faced consequences if he continued to speak up. Gogoi clearly expressed fear for his life and mental well-being, saying he now feels constantly unsafe and traumatised. He requested police protection and strict legal action against those responsible, emphasising that citizens should not be punished for expressing lawful public concerns.
The second letter, submitted by the KMSS Jorhat District Unit, strongly condemned the attack, calling it politically motivated. The organisation said that Gogoi was specifically targeted because he objected to the lake project and noted that the assault was not random but appeared pre-planned. KMSS warned that this kind of intimidation is meant to silence the public and discourage genuine concerns about environmental and livelihood issues. The letter demanded immediate investigation, strong punishment for the attackers, and government assurance that democratic rights will be protected. It described the assault as a direct attack on free speech and citizen participation in public affairs.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi, whose name repeatedly arises in discussions surrounding the project, has denied any role in the assault or attempts to influence opponents. Speaking to Northeast Scoop, he said, “I do not know the person. I don’t know why my name has come up. I was not there. I have nothing to say.” He added that he attends a very high number of public events daily sometimes 15 to 20 suggesting it would be impossible for him to monitor every local development. However, his own statements also reveal that he has been involved in conversations about the project with engineers and local stakeholders, which raises further questions about the level of political involvement in the implementation process.
If Kurmi did not personally order or support any assault, the environment surrounding the project; one in which dissent is treated as obstruction creates space for supporters or vested interests to act aggressively. Activists also highlight Kurmi’s controversial public image. In March 2025, he made headlines when he created chaos inside the Assam Legislative Assembly, allegedly lunging at opposition MLAs and shouting aggressively during a heated debate. The incident embarrassed the ruling BJP, forcing the state party chief to express concern and demand an apology. While Kurmi did apologise, the episode fed public perception that he has a short temper and a tendency towards confrontation.
This perception is not new. In 2020, while still a Congress MLA, Kurmi physically demolished a Tea Corporation building, claiming it was built with corrupt funds. While some defended him as an anti-corruption crusader, many criticised the act as vigilante behaviour that bypassed lawful procedures. In another incident, he reportedly threatened KMSS activists during anti-oil drilling protests.
