BARPETA, July 14 - People of the entire eastern part of Barpeta along with Sarthebari have rued the reported Government move to deprive it from being granted a civil subdivision, which the people of the area have been demanding since 1970.
Hundreds of people blocked two important roads in the district since morning on Monday, virtually paralysing traffic in the eastern part of the district.
The Barpeta-Nagaon-Sarthebari road and Chenga-Daulashal-Hajo road were blocked by the protesters at Sarthebari and Mazdia on Monday morning. A huge gathering was noticed at Mazdia on the Chenga-Daulashal road with banners of the Subdivision Demand Committee. The agitation was led by Prahlad Talukdar and Haramohan Barman, both secretaries, besides Jahuruddin Ahmed and Harmohan Barman, vice presidents of the Subdivision Demand Committee.
The agitators shouted slogans for the development of the eastern part of Barpeta, establishment of a civil subdivision with Sarthebari as its headquarter and resented long-time deprivation of this area by the concerned authorities.
Talking to mediapersons present, the leaders of the Subdivision Demand Committee warned the Government that if they fail to understand the language of the democratic movement, then the people of this area would be compelled to go to any extent in order to establish their fundamental rights. Though the road blockade was scheduled for the entire day, the administration evicted the agitators just after 10 am with an assurance that they will report back to the Government in a positive manner.
It may be mentioned here that a series of agitations was continuing in recent days in and around Sarthebari for the establishment of a new subdivision. Activists of the All Assam Students� Union symbolically burnt the effigy of the State Cabinet Committee which was entrusted to look into the demand.
Meanwhile, leaders like Banikanta Bhuyan, Haramohan Barman, Jahuruddin Ahmed, Chittaranjan Barman, Nakul Talukdar and Jatindra Nath Deka have been addressing street-corner meetings and seeking support of the general public.
