Several Assam Congress leaders, including state chief Bhupen Kumar Borah and the party’s youth wing national chief Uday Bhanu Chib, were detained in Guwahati on Friday ahead of their protest march to the Janata Bhawan over the death of a party worker two days ago.

Both Borah and Chib were released later in the evening, but the detentions drew sharp criticism from the Congress for stifling dissent.

The administration had barred assembly of five persons, agitations and processions within a 1km radius of the State Secretariat, from Thursday apprehending law and order issues.

However, Congress leaders and members were out on the streets moving towards Congress’ Manabendra Sarma Complex where a sit-in and an all-faith prayer was organised. They were intercepted and detained up by the police in the Hartigaon area, drawing flak from the principal Opposition party for curbing dissent and democratic protests.

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) had chalked out a statewide programme for an all-faith prayer, a sit-in and the submission of a memorandum to the governor from all the district units on Friday, seeking justice for Mridul Islam, whose death has been attributed to the police’s excessive use of tear gas by the Congress.

Since PCC president Borah had earlier announced a Janata Bhawan gherao programme if the government does not order a judicial inquiry to probe Islam’s death by Thursday, the police were out in full strength to thwart the move.

Borah was picked up on his way to the Manabendra Complex and taken to Assam police’s 10 Batallion headquarters around 12.30pm. He was released briefly around 5.30pm but was taken into custody again from outside the battallion entrance. Party members and leaders were detained from at least three different locations.

In a post on X, while being detained, Borah said, “Mr Himanta Biswa Sarma, you can arrest me by sending the police, but you cannot stop determination and willpower to serve the people with a dedicated attitude in the interest of the nation. Your resistance will be shattered. You have played the roles of Saddam Hussein and Gaddafi. Congress is unstoppable”.

The Indian Youth Congress’ national president, Uday Bhanu Chib, who had reached Guwahati on Wednesday in connection with the Assam Youth Congress’ (AYC) programme, was detained at the hotel he was putting up.

“He had come for some AYC programme but was detained by the police since early morning. Nobody was allowed to meet him. His mobile phone was also seized,” a Congress leader said.

Reetam Singh, advocate and Congress spokesperson, lodged a complaint with the Dispur police station against the “wrongful restraint and illegal confinement” of Chib.

Singh’s complaint said he was not allowed to enter the hotel by unknown individuals “who claim to be authorities of law” who have taken away his mobile phones and restrained his movement”.

“But to my astonishment, I was denied any form of documentation or identification and was forcefully pushed outside the premise, though I was present there in my advocate uniform... I have serious apprehension that there is a direct threat to his life and property,” Singh’s complaint stated.

PCC working president Jakir Hussain Sikdar, former PCC president Ripun Bora, Social Media Chairman Ratul Kalita, state Seva Dal chief Deep Bayan were among those detained. Youth Congress leaders and members, who had gathered at the Manabendra Complex, were detained after they tried to break through the barricades.

Assam PCC secretary Kridip Barman told The Telegraph that the IYC president Chib was released around 7.10 pm and the PCC president Borah at around 7.05 pm.

“The IYC president will fly to Delhi tonight,” Barman said.

Congress leaders burnt effigies of chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday evening and continued their sit-down in several districts, conveying their combative side, missing for the past several years as protests and dharnas were mostly confined to Rajiv Bhawans.

“Islam’s death has affected partymen, who want to peacefully take the fight to the ruling BJP camp. The administration efforts to thwart our protests have brought to the fore our combative streak,” a PCC leader said.

There was no untoward incident but the Congressmen kept the police on their toes throughout the day.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said Congress leaders were allegedly trying to create unrest in the city, which the administration will not allow. He said there was a competition among two-three Congress leaders to prove who is bigger, adding it was not the job of a political party “to do agitation”.

There was also a protest by Opposition MPs in front of the Parliament in Delhi seeking justice for Islam on Friday. Deputy leader of Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi and another Assam MP, Rakibul Hussin, participated in the protest.