An escalating tension grips Raha when the authorities deployed heavy security forces on Wednesday a day before the road blockade demanding the proposed AIIMS in this central Assam place instead of Changsari in the outskirt of Guwahati.
Apprehending civil violence during the proposed blockade of the National Highway No 37 on Thursday, the district authorities clamed 144 CrPC in the entire area prohibiting public gathering and use of weapons in public places.
But the AIIMS Demand Committee leaders, supported by many local organizationa have confirmed that they will stage a peaceful protest to reiterate their demand.
“We will stage peaceful protest. It would be our democratic protest to reiterate our demand,” said local AASU leader Sanjay Kumar Kakoti.
Tonoya Borthakur, s local college student told Assam Times that the government should listen to the voice of protest.
“A super speciality hospitality is need of the hour in central Assam. Accordingly, it was proposed. But under mysterious circumstances the venue has been shifted,” said the college student in Raha.
Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed by the authorities prohibiting assembly of more than four people at any place. "In connection with Highway blockade and 10 hours Middle Assam Bandh by Middle Assam AIIMS Demand Committee ( MAADC ) , district administration has imposed restrictions on assemble of any group comprising four or more people to refrain them from taking out any rally, procession in entire Nagaon district from today to an uncertain period of time," said Samsher Singh, DC Nagaon to this correspondent.
He said prohibition will remain in force till further orders and failure to comply with it will lead to to prosecution under 188 of Indian Penal Code ( IPC).
In a related development the Kolkata bench of the National Green Tribunal on Wednesday reserved its final judgment till July 15 on the proposed AIIMS in Changsari, where construction is prohibited.
Last year, one person died and several others injured when security forces resorted to gun firing to disperse a huge crowd who blocked the road demanding the hospital in Raha.
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