GUWAHATI, Oct 8 - The Assam Government has found itself in the midst of a controversy following the withdrawal of the previous government�s decision on the creation of two new districts � South Kamrup and East Kamrup � with different organisations already starting to protest against the move.
The State Cabinet yesterday decided to withdraw the notifications issued on February 27 for creation of the two districts and as the Puja holidays started today, it will need some time to give effect to the decision.
The South Kamrup district was carved out of the Kamrup district and it comprised the legislative Assembly constituency areas of Palasbari, Chaygaon and Boko and 52 villages of the Rani area. On the other hand, the East Kamrup district comprised Chandrapur and Sonapur areas of the Dispur Assembly constituency.
Official sources revealed that after the creation of the new districts, which started functioning from March 1, the process of transfer of officers and employees as well as related documents was on, when the government suddenly took the decision to withdraw the notification on creation of the new districts.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the South Kamrup District Demand Committee will launch a movement from next week in protest against the decision.
ANN Service adds from Mirza: Massive protests were staged in various parts of South Kamrup district in protest against the move.
Chaygaon Anchalik Committee of AASU today burnt the effigy of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at Chaygaon and blocked NH 37 for over an hour demanding revocation of the decision. AMSU also staged a road blockade at Goroimari near Mirza in protest against the move. It demanded the government review the decision immediately.
The public of Kukurmara in Palasbari LAC in South Kamrup also burnt tyres and blocked NH 37 for over an hour, disrupting road communication.
Criticising the decision, Chaygaon MLA Rekibuddin Ahmed of the Congress said the government has trampled upon the rights, sentiments, culture and heritage of the people of South Kamrup with this decision. South Kamrup is a big district covering three Assembly constituencies, not a single-constituency district like Majuli, he pointed out.
Senior AGP leader from the district Pankaj Lochan Goswami also said the government has done a very bad job by going ahead with the decision, keeping the people of South Kamrup in the dark.
On the other hand, BJP MLA from the district Pranab Kalita said the government has formed a sub-committee to work out modalities for a full-fledged South Kamrup district and he expects that after the completion of the formalities, the government would make South Kamrup a full-fledged district. Being the lone BJP MLA from the district, he will never compromise with any decision that goes against the interests of the people of this district, he asserted.
