Sivasagar: The Sivasagar unit of the All Assam District Administrative Employees’ Association staged an hour-long sit-in protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Saturday, followed by a pen-down strike for the rest of the day, alleging misbehaviour by Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi towards District Commissioner Mridul Yadav.
The protest was linked to an incident reported on Thursday during a discussion over the distribution of flood relief in the district.
Speaking about the incident, DC Mridul Yadav said he was carrying out his responsibilities in accordance with administrative rules and policies, but alleged that Gogoi misbehaved with and intimidated him.
Yadav said the MLA did not enter his office chamber despite being requested to do so and instead allegedly confronted him in the presence of members of the public. He added that several people recorded the incident and later circulated the videos on social media.
Members of the employees’ association said the protest was against what they described as the MLA’s “rough and indecent” behaviour towards the district administration. Association secretary Jitendra Mili alleged that Gogoi’s conduct amounted to an insult to all employees working in the district administration.
The protesting employees said government officials and staff were also working round the clock to assist flood-affected people and that the MLA was not the only person working for the welfare of residents.
The association said it would write to Gogoi regarding the incident and its concerns.
According to reports, Gogoi had sought to include around 2,000 additional beneficiaries from his constituency in the list for the Rs 15,000 government flood relief assistance. The existing list reportedly contains around 32,000 beneficiaries.
Gogoi has been vocal about the distribution of flood relief in Sivasagar and has repeatedly raised concerns over delays in assisting affected families.
Akhil Gogoi could not be contacted for his response to the allegations.