Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma takes 5-km chopper ride after anti-CAA protestors block road

Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday took helicopter ride for only 5 km because of ongoing protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, PTI reported. Sarma had to attend an event to pay tribute to deceased Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Rajen Borthakur.

Sarma could not go reach Ghoramari, where the programme was taking place, because of the agitation by All Assam Students’ Union. The protestors blocked the National Highway 15 between Tezpur and Ghoramari and shouted slogans against the amended citizenship law.

Later, the BJP leader took the chopper to reach the destination.

At least 26 people have died in nationwide protests against the amended citizenship law and the proposed National Register of Citizens. Five people have died in Assam, which was the initial epicentre of the protests, when the police opened fire on protestors on December 17.