Assam: Congress protests against BJP MLA coke plant grabbing case in Margherita

Congress workers in Tinsukia district today held a protest rally in Margherita against the case of local MLA Bhaskar Sarma's alleged illegal occupation of a coke plant. 

The protest rally, held jointly by the Congress units of Tinsukia district, Margherita block and Hapjan block, saw Congress party workers protest against Margherita MLA Bhaskar Sharma and his associates Pradip Singh and Chandan Kalita who are alleged to have illegally and forcefully occupied Brightshine Coke and Coal Private Limited coke industry located at Tipong firing range, which belongs to Kolkata based businessman Mahesh Bhimsaria. 

Several Congress leaders including Assam Congress working president Rana Goswami and Assm Pradesh Congress Committee vice president Jayanta Kalita took part in the protest rally. About 500 Congress workers gathered for the mega protest rally today in Margherita and shouted slogans against MLA Bhaskar Sarma and his associates who are alleged to be involved in the case. 

The protesters also demanded for a judicial enquiry into the matter and also sought that Bhaskar Sarma's alleged associate Pradip Singh be arrested. 

Assam Congress working president Rana Goswani demanded that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma should send an all party team to Margherita to take stock of the situation. 

"Today there is illegal coal mining in Margherita. There is no tender for Coal India here. Without any tender, hundred of vehicles are carrying coal from here. There is criminal activities here after dark. People are scared to ply on roads. Locals here have told me all this. Chief Minister should atleast send an all party team here in Margherita to examine the situation here. After they should let the people know as to what measures they would take," said Goswami.

The matter came to light when a Kolkata-based businessman Mahesh Bhimsaria alleged that aides of MLA Bhaskar Sarma, at his behest, forcefully grabbed a coke plant set up by the businessman in Tinsukia district of the state. The incident came to light after the businessman wrote a letter to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on October 4 complaining about “gundaraj” by the MLA and his associates and seeking the Chief Minister’s intervention in the matter.