Sarbatmak Hartal: Guwahati Police issues legal notices to 16 political groups

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 12, 2024

Given the ‘sarbatmak hartal” organized by the Congress-led United Opposition Forum (UOF) on Tuesday in protest against the notification of rules for implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, Guwahati city police have issued legal notices to all 16 constituents giving warning to them of legal action and heavy fines in case of damage to public and private property.

Hours after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notified the rules for the implementation of the CAA, the UoF announced a “sarbatmak hartal” against the notification of CAA rules.

Such notices have been issued to Bhupen Kumar Borah, president, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC); Ripun Borah, president, Assam Trinamool Congress; Bhaben Choudhury, president Aam Admi Party (AAP), Assam; Akhil Gogpoi, president, Raijor Dal; Lurinjyoti Gogoi, president, Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP); Suprakash Taluakdar, state secretary, CPI-M; Kanak Gogoi, state secretary, CPI; Mihir Nandi, president All India Forward Block (AIFB); Pankaj Kumar Das, state secretary, CPI(ML); Ajit Kumar BHuyan, president, Jatiya Dal, Assam; Ram Narayan Singh, Shiv Sena (UBT), Assam; Parash Baruah, President, NCP (Sharad Pawar); Abdul Azziz, president, Samajwadi Party, Assam; Charan Deka, president, Purbanchalaiya Lok Parishad (PLP); John INgti Kathar, president, All people’s Hill Leaders Conference (ALHLC); Swarna Hazarika, president, RJD, Assam. 

“It has come to the notice of the undersigned from the press note dated March 11, 2024, released by the United Opposition Forum that you and your organization have called for ‘Sarbatmak Hartal’ in Assam on March 12 from 6 am to 6 pm. As a result of the Sarbatmak Hartal, there is every likelihood of a breach of peace and security leading to disruption of the normal life of peace-loving citizens in the state. The “Sarbatmak Hartal” is likely to lead to road blockade, forceful closure of shops and other business establishment, damage to public and private property including railway /NHAI thereby disrupting the delivery of essential services,” the legal notice stated.

“Further, calling of such ‘Sarbatmak Hartal’ will lead to highway and railway track blockade, which has been declared as illegal and unconstitutional by various judgements of Supreme Court of India, Kerala High Court as well as Gauhati High Court,” the notice also stated. 

“In this regard, your attention is drawn to the specific order passed by the Gauhati High Court in writ petition(C) 7570/2013 on March 19, 2019. Therefore, considering the above, the undersigned hereby orders you and your organization to withdraw the “sarbatmak hartal and co-operate in maintaining peace in the state, failing which legal action will be taken against you in your personal capacity,” the notice further stated.

“Further, be known that in case there is any damage to public/ private property including railway and national highway properties or injury to any citizen caused due to ‘sarbatmak hartal’ legal action under appropriate provisions of law including Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984 will be initiated against you and the total cost of damage to public and private properties will be recovered from you and your organization,” it added.

Assam DGP GP Singh said that Assam Police is “prepared to ensure that no untoward incident takes place. Every police station has also been directed to remain alert and keep a tight vigil”.

In Guwahati, along with different parts of the city, the police have been deployed around the Janata Bhavan, Assam Secretariat Complex and the residence of ministers and MLAs. Police Commandos have been seen in action and patrolling around the capital Dispur since Tuesday Morning to avert any hostility in the area.