Protests erupt in East and South Kamrup

'Rollback decision to revoke two new districts'

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Oct 14: Ever since the revocation of Kamrup East and Kamrup South districts by the State Cabinet at its meeting on October 7, the situation in the two areas has been boiling. The protests erupted today when the residents of both East and South Kamrup took to the streets and blocked the NH-37 at its various stretches on the outskirts of Guwahati.

Activists of Boko, Chhaygaon and Goroimari Block Congress blocked the tiol Highway at various places and held a meeting in front Rajiv Bhavan at Chhaygaon and sent a memorandum each to the Governor and the Chief Minister of the State.

Our Correspondent from Dimoria adds: The 12-hour East Kamrup bandh called by East Kamrup NSUI Coordition Committee and five other organizations affected life in the area. The bandh was from 5 am to 5 pm during which shops downed their shutters at Jorabat, Sopur, Khetri, Topatoli, etc., areas. The six organizations registered their protests by torching tyres at various spots on NH 37 during the bandh period. Vehicular traffic was paralysed for a certain period in the area.

Meanwhile, the district administration made all arrangements so as to ensure security of the public during the bandh period in the area. The vehicles that plied today had security personnel manning them.

The resentment among the people of the area is seen today. Son Borah, a youth of Dimoria, said: “The revocation of East Kamrup district after its formal declaration has insulted the people of the area. Dispur should reconsider its decision.”

Dhonu Medhi, an elderly man from Dimoria, said: “The newly appointed DC and SP of the district were given a warm reception by the people of the area. However, giving them a tearful send-off after the revocation of the new district will be an insult to the people as well as the top officers.”

Meanwhile, the Inter Dimoria Regiol Students’ Union sent a memorandum to Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal yesterday requesting him to rollback the revocation of East Kamrup district. The body said that they were hurt by the decision that had been taken by the State Cabinet on October 7. “Even though the administration of East Kamrup was run from Kamrup(M) even after the declaration of the new district, the move did arise hopes among the local populace that they would get their administration in their doorstep. However, the latest decision taken by the State Cabinet erased that hope. We appeal to the government to reconsider its decision,” the leaders of the students’ body said.