Sivasagar, 21 August (HS): Employees of the Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner’s office staged a protest on Friday against Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi, alleging that he misbehaved with the district commissioner during a meeting on August 20.

The protesting employees wore black cloth around their heads and observed a work boycott to register their opposition to the MLA’s alleged conduct. They are also expected to hold a meeting to decide their next course of action.

The protest followed Gogoi’s strong criticism of the district administration over the alleged delay in distributing government assistance to flood-affected people in Sivasagar.

During his interaction with the district commissioner on Wednesday, Gogoi questioned the delay in providing financial assistance to flood victims and insisted that eligible beneficiaries receive the relief before officials leave the affected areas.

Gogoi reportedly told the district commissioner, “You may leave from here, but you will have to give my people the money. You cannot run this place by simply following ministers around.”

The MLA had urged the administration to ensure timely delivery of government assistance and maintained that negligence in flood relief distribution should not be tolerated.

The remarks subsequently led to resentment among employees of the Deputy Commissioner’s office, who accused Gogoi of behaving improperly with the district commissioner.

Gogoi has repeatedly raised the issue of alleged delays and lapses in the distribution of flood relief in Sivasagar in recent weeks. He has also criticised both the district administration and the state government over the handling of assistance to affected residents.---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash