Assam govt denied permission for night halts during Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Congress

Guwahati: The Assam government has denied night-stay permissions at public grounds for its leaders in two districts during the ensuing 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', Congress leader Debabrata Saikia said on Thursday.

He said said the party is now looking for alternative arrangements of private farmlands for stationing the containers, where senior national leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, will halt for a night.

"We sought a school ground at Gogamukh in Dhemaji district for only the night stay by parking our container vehicles. The permission was initially given, but at the last moment it was withdrawn," Saikia, who is the Leader of the Opposition, said.

In a similar manner, a college in Jorhat district refused to allow us for one night at its playground, he said.

"The BJP is declining our democratic right to hold a march, which is not even a political programme," Saikia alleged.

"We are not aware of the position in other districts as the application process was done online and we have not heard yet. We are now seeking support from individuals and private firms for using their grounds for night halts," he added.

Without sharing details, Saikia said the party has finalised necessary grounds in Jorhat and Dhemaji districts for overnight halt of its leaders and workers.

The Yatra, to be led by MP Rahul Gandhi, will commence from Imphal on January 14 and culminate on March 20 in Mumbai. The Assam leg of the march is scheduled from January 18 to 25.

The 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' is planned to cover 6,713 km in 67 days while passing through 110 districts in 15 states.