Assam Cong chief questions rationale behind 'multiple permits to walk on roads'

Majuli: Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah on Friday questioned the state government over rules that make it necessary to take 'multiple permissions to walk on the roads', maintaining that it was not in keeping with democratic spirits.

The Assam leg of the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is currently on. Borah said that KB Byju, the chief organiser of the Yatra', is not responsible for planning its route, even though an FIR was registered against him for the march allegedly deviating from the permitted route in Jorhat town on Thursday.

"KB Byju has nothing to do with the Yatra route. We decided on the route and applied on police portals for permission," Borah said at a press conference here as the Yatra progressed through the island district of Majuli on its second day in the state.

Borah also questioned the rationale behind having to acquire multiple permits for the march.

"How many permissions does one need to walk on the roads? This is a democracy and everyone has equal rights. No one can use the roads as their private property," he said.

He, however, did not mention how many permissions the party was required to take for the Yatra. Different types of vehicles including buses are part of it.

About the FIR registered against the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and Byju for allegedly deviating from its permitted route, an official said that the march took a different turn in the town instead of going towards KB Road as permitted, and it led to a "chaotic situation" in the area.

"Some people fell due to the sudden rush of people and a stampede-like situation was created. A suo motu FIR has been registered at Jorhat Sadar Police Station against the Yatra and its chief organiser," he added.

Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia, who was also part of the entourage, had alleged that the FIR was a ploy to create unnecessary obstacles before the Yatra.

"There was no police manning the traffic diversion at the PWD point. The assigned route was too small and we had a huge gathering. So, we took a detour for just a few metres. (Chief Minister) Himanta Biswa Sarma is scared of the Yatra's success on the first day (in Assam) and now wants to derail it," he added.

The Assam leg of the march will continue till January 25. It will travel 833 km in 17 districts.

The Yatra, led by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, commenced from Manipur on January 14 and will culminate on March 20 or 21 in Mumbai.

It has been planned that the Yatra will cover 6,713 km in 67 days while passing through 110 districts in 15 states.