Dispur to write to Centre about Raha claim

AIIMS SITE ROW

AIIMS Demand Committee suspends agitation after talks with CM, Sonowal calls for 'Team Assam' to stimulate State's growth

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, July 19: After discussions today with the various organizations of AIIMS Demand Committee, Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal has decided to write a letter to the Central government highlighting the concerns and proposals of the AIIMS demand committees of Raha.

Chairing a meeting with representatives of AIIMS Demand Committee organisations at Dispur, Sonowal expressed his concern and condemned the incident at Raha.

“The government will prepare a draft with full participation of the leaders of the AIIMS Demand Committees, highlighting their concerns and proposals and send a letter to the Central government to do the needful”, he said.

The decision to write to the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry was taken considering the deep rooted human interests involved in the issue and it is the prerogative of the Centre to take appropriate decision considering all relevant issues, the Chief Minister said in a statement.

The decision to set up AIIMS at Jalah on the north bank of the Brahmaputra was taken by the previous Congress government in February 2016, which was given due approval by the then Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, the statement pointed out.

After talks with Chief Minister Sonowal today, the organizations demanding setting up of AIIMS-like institution in Raha decided to put their agitation on hold. Giving a patient hearing to the concerns and grievances of the demand committee, Sonowal said, “The State government exhibits fullest sensitivity to the concerns of the people of Central Assam and will do the needful for the interests of the people of State”.

Condemning the incident that took place in Raha where one person lost his life, Sonowal said, “The State government will show no leniency to anybody found guilty in the incident and will take action based on the findings of the one-man inquiry commission headed by Additiol Chief Secretary Rajib Bora”.

The Chief Minister also said that his government has paid ex-gratia amounting to Rs 5 lakh and handed over an appointment letter giving government job to the wife of deceased Mintu Deori within 48 hours.

Sonowal sought the cooperation from all concerned, calling for ‘Team Assam’ to stimulate the growth trajectory of the State.  

Minister for Commerce and Industry, Chandra Mohan Patowary, Minister for Water Resources Keshab Mahanta, MLAs, Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia, few senior government officers along with a 19 member delegation representing AIMMS Demand Committees were present in the meeting.