Dibrugarh: Political tensions in the Khowang assembly constituency of Dibrugarh district escalated on Friday when a large police force carried out a search operation at the residence of Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) president Lurinjyoti Gogoi at Godapani.The raid, led by Amit Ranjan Barman, in-charge co-district superintendent of police, Khowang, drew sharp condemnation from AJP, which alleged political interference, even as BJP countered with accusations of violence by AJP workers.Lurinjyoti Gogoi, AJP’s candidate in the keenly contested Khowang constituency, is locked in a direct fight with BJP’s Chakradhar Gogoi — the sitting MLA of the now-abolished Moran constituency — in what has become one of upper Assam’s most politically charged contests.The police search triggered an immediate reaction from AJP supporters, who gathered in large numbers at Gogoi’s residence to protest the raid. The atmosphere turned tense as heated exchanges broke out between protesters and police personnel, with demonstrators demanding to know the legal basis of the operation. The situation was eventually brought under control after intervention.At a press conference following the raid, AJP leader Chittaranjan Basumatary condemned the police action. “Thirty to forty police personnel, without any search warrant or notice, suddenly came to AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi’s residence. We believe political pressure prompted the search. We condemn the incident,” he said.Basumatary alleged that violence during polling in Khowang had gone unpunished. “One of our members was assaulted on polling day, but despite filing an FIR, police failed to arrest the culprit. BJP openly threatened our members,” he claimed, adding that a vehicle belonging to one of their members was vandalised by BJP workers during Thursday’s polling.He also questioned the legality of the raid. “How can police conduct a house search without a warrant or chargesheet? We urge the Election Commission of India to investigate and take necessary action,” Basumatary said, warning of democratic protests if no steps were taken.Defending the operation, Amit Ranjan Barman said the search was based on a formal complaint. “A case was registered against AJP members by the BJP, which led to the house search. However, we did not find them,” he said.Dibrugarh SSP Abhijit Gurav also backed the action, saying due procedure had been followed. “Following technical inputs related to the incident in Khowang, the police team reached the location and conducted the search as per legal procedure,” he said.Meanwhile, state Cabinet minister Bimal Borah, addressing a separate press conference in Khowang, condemned what he described as unprovoked violence by AJP supporters against BJP workers after Thursday’s polling.“AJP members did not even spare women — they assaulted them and vandalised the office. Their supporters attacked BJP workers,” Borah said, accusing AJP of hiding behind regionalist rhetoric while acting against the ethos of Assam’s indigenous people.Borah also framed the violence as a sign of desperation. “When they realized that Lurinjyoti Gogoi was going to be defeated in Khowang, they resorted to violence. We do not support such acts — it is not the culture of our party,” he said.The raids, protests, and allegations come a day after a violent clash was reported from Kutuha in Khowang during polling, in which vehicles were damaged and supporters of both parties were injured. Dibrugarh Police have initiated an inquiry into Thursday’s incident.The raids, protests and allegations come a day after a violent clash was reported from Kutuha in Khowang during polling, in which vehicles were damaged and supporters of both parties were injured. Dibrugarh Police had initiated an inquiry into Thursday’s incident.