Protests staged in Assam over district status

Guwahati, Oct 21: Hundreds of people blocked National Highway (NH)-37 on Friday against the Assam government's revoking its decision to create a South Kamrup district.

Hundreds of people in Kamrup district's Chhaygaon area took to the streets and blocked movement of all vehicles, including ambulances.

The protests have led to snapping of road communication between Western Assam districts and Guwahati city.

Reacting to the agitation, Assam Director General of Police (DGP) Mukesh Sahay appealed to the people not to take the law in their hands. 

"If someone takes law in their hands, we are going to deal with strictly," the DGP said.

The Assam cabinet had recently revoked the decision to create South and East Kamrup districts for lack of infrastructure.

The former Congress-led government had announced creation of five districts -- South Kamrup, East Kamrup, Charaideo, Biswanath and West Karbi Anglong. 

However, the three others will be created.