Skip to content Skip to navigation

Tense Situation in Sivasagar’s Cherekapar Panchayat as Women Protest Exclusion from Schemes

By SK Hasan |

In Cherekapar village of Sivasagar, a tense scene unfolded on Thursday as close to a hundred women gathered at the panchayat office and laid siege to it in protest. Their voices rose together, demanding justice and fairness in the distribution of government welfare benefits.

The women said that despite the Chief Minister’s public assurance that every woman holding a government ration card would be covered under the Arunoday scheme, many who had long depended on its support suddenly found their names missing from the list. This sudden exclusion, without explanation, has left several families in distress and anger simmering across the community.

What began as quiet frustration turned into determined resistance, as the women marched to the panchayat office and stood firm with their demands. They called for all eligible women to be included, for benefits to be restored to those cut off, and for transparency in how such schemes are managed.

Their collective appeal now rests with the Chief Minister, whom they have urged to intervene swiftly and ensure that no deserving woman is left behind. The protest at Cherekapar was not merely about entitlements, but about dignity, fairness, and the right to be heard.

Author info

SK Hasan's picture

Freelance journalist, Nazira, Sibasagar district.
  • 6601 reads

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

Restoration Work Begins at Historic British-Era Cemetery Inside ONGC Nazira Campus

After years of discussion and a long wait, restoration and beautification work has finally begun at the historic British-era cemetery located within the ONGC campus at Nazira. Though regarded as an important heritage site of the region, the colonial-era cemetery had remained neglected for decades. Towards the end of 2024, a concrete initiative was taken to renovate and preserve the cemetery with financial support from the Nazira MLA’s Local Area Development Fund. As part of the process, officials from the Nazira Co-District administration and the State Archaeology Department conducted site inspections and carried out a detailed assessment. During the inspection, officials observed...

Draft Electoral Roll Published for Sivasagar District; Total Voters at 5.72 Lakh

The draft electoral roll for the three Assembly constituencies of Sivasagar district—Demow, Sivasagar and Nazira—was published on December 27, officials said. As per official data, the total number of voters across the district’s three constituencies stands at 5,72,219. In the 95-Demow Assembly Constituency, the total number of voters is 1,79,210, including 88,004 male voters, 91,205 female voters and one voter from the third gender. The constituency has 230 polling stations. The 96-Sivasagar Assembly Constituency has a total of 2,09,778 voters, comprising 1,03,430 male voters, 1,06,347 female voters and one third-gender voter. This constituency has 278 polling stations. Meanwhile...

ATTSA, ATTWA Shut Down ONGC Assam Asset HQ in Nazira Over Tea Garden Displacement, Unfulfilled Promises

Normal functioning at the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation’s (ONGC) Assam Asset headquarters in Nazira came to a complete standstill on December 24 following a massive sit-in protest staged by the Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA) and the Assam Tea Tribes Women’s Association (ATTWA). The protest was organised in opposition to the eviction of tea garden land for oil and gas exploration and production activities, and against ONGC’s alleged failure to fulfil assurances made to the tea community following such land acquisitions. Protesters stated that the tea industry, which played a crucial role in introducing Assam to the global economy, is now facing systematic destruction...

Teacher Surplus, Falling Enrolment Plague Nazira Primary Schools; RTI Reply Raises Questions

Despite having nearly a thousand teachers on its rolls, as many as 319 Lower Primary (LP), Middle English (ME), and Middle English schools under the Nazira Primary Education Block are functioning with a total student enrolment of only 27,077, averaging about 84 students per school. As per official norms, there should be one teacher for every 30 students. Based on this guideline, the total enrolment in the block would require approximately 903 teachers. However, nearly 1,200 teachers are currently posted across these schools, far exceeding the required number. While schools located in urban and easily accessible areas reportedly have an excess number of teachers compared to student...

Nazira’s Monaiting Nagagaon Baptist Church Celebrates 52nd Christmas with Grandeur

Along with the rest of the world, the Monaiting Nagagaon Baptist Church of Nazira celebrated its 52nd Christmas with a series of colourful and devotional programmes at the village church premises. As part of the celebrations, special programmes were organised on December 24 from 6 pm to 8 pm, featuring hymns, pre-Christmas welcome messages, Bible readings, and special songs. The programmes reflected the true spirit of Christmas and witnessed enthusiastic participation from church members as well as local residents. The celebrations continued on Christmas morning, December 25, with a community prayer service, exchange of Christmas greetings, Bible readings, special hymns, and Bible...

Pollution paralyzes Nazira town : Silent Administration

Nazira town is grappling with severe pollution and neglected infrastructure, leaving its residents frustrated and concerned about their health and well-being. As one crosses the Dikhow river and enters Nazira town, the devastated state of Dhodar Ali road is immediately apparent. The Dhodar Ali, a major road that passes through the town, has been in a state of disrepair for a long time, with massive potholes making it difficult for pedestrians and vehicles to navigate. Recently, the authorities attempted to fill the potholes with soil, but this has only led to a new problem - dust pollution. The air is thick with dust, causing respiratory issues and other health problems for the...

Assam Police Seize Heroin, Arrest 3 In Namti

In a major breakthrough against narcotics trafficking, Assam Police on Wednesday evening seized a substantial quantity of heroin and arrested three individuals at Namti Chariali in Sivasagar district. Acting on a tip-off about suspicious movement of a vehicle, a team led by CDSP Tushar Desai intercepted a Toyota Glanza (AS 03 AK 2942). During the search, police discovered 19 containers of heroin concealed inside the vehicle. The three occupants—Amrit Karmakar, Sandeep Singh, and Ravindra Singh—were arrested on the spot. Police also recovered cash and three mobile phones from their possession. Officials said the seized contraband is valued at a significant amount in the illegal drug...

Fida Ali Bridge in Sonari Raises Safety Concerns

A section of the Fida Ali Bridge, located near the Muktabaari Tea Estate on the Dhodar Ali–Kalakta road in Sonari, has collapsed, posing a serious threat to public safety. The damaged portion has alarmed local residents and commuters who fear a major accident if urgent repairs are not undertaken. According to locals, the bridge was constructed using substandard materials, which they believe led to its collapse. Despite repeated appeals, the damaged section remains unrepaired, causing inconvenience and raising safety concerns among daily travelers. Local organizations, including the Tai Ahom Youva Parishad and the Assam Jatiyatabadi Youva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), have demanded...

Major Crackdown on Cow Smuggling in Nazira: 9 Arrested, 13 Cattle Recovered

In a major crackdown on cattle smuggling, police in Nazira have arrested nine people, including the notorious smuggler Azad Ali alias Kolia, and recovered 13 stolen cattle, along with six luxury vehicles and two motorcycles used in the illegal operation. The operation was conducted in the early hours of November 6, led by CDSP of Nazira Tushar Desai, OC Nazira Bhaven Das, OC Simaluguri Devojit Kalita, and OC Namti, following a coordinated raid across multiple locations. Police recovered the cattle — including one Jersey cow, five pregnant cows, and five calves — from Azad Ali’s lorry depot in the Teteliguri area of Simaluguri. Those arrested have been identified as Azad Ali alias...

Land Scam Rocks Nazira Revenue Circle: Valuable Land Transferred Without Owner's Knowledge

A shocking case of land scam has come to light in Nazira Revenue Circle, where valuable land has been transferred to another person without the knowledge of the original owner, Syeda Honamai Begum, and her heirs. The land in question is located at Luthuri village under Dhupabar Mouza, and comprises 3 katha of land in Dag No. 359, 1 katha 19 losa in Dag No. 360, and 3 bigha 1 katha 8 losa in Dag No. 201, all under Periodic Patta Nos. 71, 125, and 201, respectively. According to a letter issued by the Nazira Revenue Circle Office (No.NRC/Bibidh/1/2018-2019/2065, dated 19/07/2025), the 3 katha land in Dag No. 359, under Periodic Patta No. 71, was mutated in the name of Abdul Mujid through...