25 C
Guwahati
Monday, October 14, 2024

Assam govt will give permission for Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Himanta Biswa Sarma

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

GUWAHATI, Jan 11: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Thursday said the government will give permission to the Congress to hold its Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra if it seeks permission as the state welcomes “all tourists”.

But there is no information yet on the Congress seeking permission to hold the Yatra in Assam, he asserted.

- Advertisement -

The Yatra, to be led by Rahul Gandhi and other top Congress leaders, is slated to reach Assam on January 18 after being flagged off from Manipur capital Imphal on January 14. The eight-day Assam leg of the Yatra will continue till January 25 and cover 17 districts of the state, party sources said.

“I asked the chief secretary if Congress has sought permission, but he is still to receive any information on this’, Sarma told a press conference here.

“They (Congress) are creating unnecessary fuss. We do not know if and when they are coming. We do not even know the route they propose to take,” he said.

The media is informed about everything on the Yatra but the Assam government is not aware of anything, Sarma quipped.

- Advertisement -

Sarma, who is a prominent BJP leader of the northeast, said the party will respond politically to Congress’ Yatra though the Assam government will give the permission if it is sought.

“Where is the conflict in this? Whether it is ‘nyay’ (justice) or ‘annyay’ (injustice), all tourists are welcome to the state … If more tourists come to our state, we will welcome them,” he said.

Asked by scribes whether he considered the Congress Yatra as a tourist event, Sarma refused to comment and said 44 lakh tourists had visited Assam in 2022-23 and 70 lakh of them have been reported so far for this year.

Congress has said that the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will be taken out for economic, social and political justice of the people of the country.

- Advertisement -

Asked about the Congress claim during the day that the party has been denied permission to stay in a school at Gogamukh in Dhemaji district and a college in Jorhat, Sarma said that permission cannot be given for using schools and colleges when they are in session.

“But if it is on a Sunday, they can”, Sarma added.

The chief minister also said that the Yatra will have to remain on the national highway and not enter the Guwahati city limits as it will create traffic snarls. “If the Congress Yatra has to move through the city, they must finish before 8 am so that traffic is not affected”, he added.

Processions within the city by anybody, including the BJP, will not be allowed as there are hospitals and nursing homes located in it and their ambulance services will be affected, he said.

Congress leader Debabrata Saikia, who is also the leader of the opposition in Assam Assembly, said that with the government refusing permission to use the premises of the educational institutions at Dhemaji and Jorhat the party is now looking for alternative arrangements in farm lands or fields of individuals for stationing the containers in which senior party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, will stay for the night.

Responding to it, Sarma said that if the Congress leaders chose to stay in fields it will not be a problem for the Assam government. “If the Congress wants I will direct the district commissioners to clear and clean it for them”.

The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, led by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, will begin from Imphal on January14 and culminate in Mumbai on March 20. (PTI)

- Advertisement -
The Hills Times
The Hills Timeshttps://thehillstimes.in/
Welcome to The Hills Times, your trusted source for daily news and updates in English from the heart of Assam, India. Since our establishment in 2000, we've been dedicated to providing timely and accurate information to our readers in Diphu and Guwahati. As the first English newspaper in the then undemarcated Karbi Anglong district, we've forged a strong connection with diverse communities and age groups, earning a reputation for being a reliable source of news and insights. In addition to our print edition, we keep pace with the digital age through our website, https://thehillstimes.in, where we diligently update our readers with the latest happenings day by day. Whether it's local events, regional developments, or global news, The Hills Times strives to keep you informed with dedication and integrity. Join us in staying ahead of the curve and exploring the world through our lens.
Latest news
- Advertisement -
Related news
- Advertisement -
8 No-fuss South Indian Recipes For A Comforting Lunch 12 Foods That Ratan Tata Loved The Most 8 Must Visit Destinations In The Seven Sisters Of India 8 Healthy South Indian Dinner Ideas Quick South Indian Recipes To Make For A Hearty Lunch