After protest by planting seedlings on the Garmur-Chapanala Road connecting the National Highway 37, the residents of Puranigudam area in Nagaon district on Monday staged protest on NH 37 demanding repair of the damaged highway and other roads in the rural areas immediately.
Due to the protest, the convoy of Assam Agriculture Minister and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) president Atul Bora, also had stranded on the National Highway in the area on his way from Golaghat to Guwahati which compelled the Minister to come down from his vehicle.
Atul Bora, crossing the stranded vehicles on the road, had to walk to face the protestors.
According to information, due to blockade of the NH 37 as part of the protest by the Barhampur unit of the Youth Congress demanding repair of the NH 37 and other rural roads created severe traffic jam on the national Highway for several hours.
The agitating Youth Congress workers by shouting slogans against the Government alleged that the State Government had failed to perform.
The Youth Congress protestors demanded before Agriculture Minister Atul Bora that the Puranigudam-Chapanala connecting road be immediately repaired. The minister also assured the protestors of taking necessary measures in this regard with immediate effect.
On the other hand, regarding the floods in several villages in Golaghat district due to release of the excess water of Doyang reservoir in Wokha district of Nagaland by the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) authority, without prior notice, Agriculture Minister Bora said the NEEPCO must compensate the affected families.
However, on Sunday, the NEEPCO authority clarified that the water inflow to Doyang reservoir in Wokha district of Nagaland was much higher than the normal range of inflow, necessitating release of excess water by opening the gates at 5.30 am on July 27 in a controlled manner. It said excess water beyond the capacity of the reservoir cannot be absorbed by it and flows to the downstream area.
The Youth Congress protestors also submitted a memorandum to the Assam Chief Minister through Minister Bora.