Guwahati: A major protest erupted in Dandua of Assam’s Morigaon district on Wednesday after residents opposed a government proposal to bring several villages under the Mikirbheta Revenue Circle instead of the Morigaon Revenue Circle.
The protest drew a large turnout of local residents, who blocked the Nagaon–Morigaon State Highway by burning tyres. Vehicular movement came to a complete halt, with long queues of vehicles building up on both sides of the highway.
Those taking part in the protest said the proposal would change the revenue circle of Nij Dandua, Bonpara, Sapkati and a number of neighbouring villages.
They alleged that the authorities moved ahead with the proposal without taking local residents into confidence or giving them prior information.
The protesters also raised slogans against local MLA Ramakanta Deuri, accusing him of ignoring public concerns over the issue. They called on the government to scrap the proposal and leave the affected villages within the Morigaon Revenue Circle.
Police personnel, headed by the Morigaon Superintendent of Police, arrived at the spot to monitor the situation and prevent any disturbance.
Senior officers also held talks with the protesters to persuade them to end the blockade and allow traffic to resume.
The protesters warned that the protest would continue if the proposal was not cancelled. They also said they would strongly oppose any decision to shift their villages to the Mikirbheta Revenue Circle.