Kaziranga (Assam), 23 August (HS): Local residents of Kaziranga gathered at Kohora on Sunday and strongly criticised the Congress party, state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi and MP Rakibul Hussain over the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) issue.

A public meeting was organised at the Kohora Natya Mandir premises under the initiative of the Kaziranga Yuva Mancha. A large number of residents from areas adjoining Kaziranga National Park participated in the meeting.

The participants extended their support to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s decision to reduce the proposed Eco-Sensitive Zone around Kaziranga from 10 km to 1 km. Local residents have been coming forward regularly in support of the decision.

During the meeting, speakers also criticised the Congress party and its leaders over their stand on the issue and urged that the interests of local communities living around Kaziranga be given due consideration.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash