Sahitya Akademi
Poet Nilim Kumar

Amid continued protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) across Assam, a physician has been transferred to an interior place for taking part in anti-CAA protests and writing poems opposing the amended citizenship law.

Celebrated Assamese poet Nilim Kumar, who was posted at Deomornoi Community Health Centre (CHC) at Patharighat in Assam’s Darrang district as physician, has been transferred to Sonari Sapori PHC in Dhakuakhana in Lakhimpur district.

Sonari Sapori is around 10 kilometres from Dhakuakhana.

Dhakuakhana is 392 kilometres from Guwahati and 366 kilometres from Darrang.

The transfer order of poet Kumar, who is about to retire, comes barely six months after he was transferred to Deomornoi CHC.

Sources said the poet came under the scanner of Assam government for participating in anti-CAA protests and writing poems slamming the Act.

Although no specific reason is mentioned in the order, he was transferred apparently for his stance against CAA.

Kumar participated in two anti-CAA protest rallies at city’s Latashil playground and penned two poems opposing the Act.

Many social media users have slammed Sarbananda Sonowal-led BJP government for its ‘vindictive attitude’.

When contacted, Kumar said, “As a government servant, I will obey the order and join there soon.”

Earlier, half-a-dozen Assam Civil Service (ACS) officials were allegedly “transferred” for social media posts and comments against the CAA.