‘We want education, not accidental death’: Assam college students protest over crumbling Silchar–Jayantia road

Students of Government Model College, Borkhola in Assam, on June 18 staged a peaceful protest along the Silchar–Jayantia Road, demanding urgent repairs to a stretch they said has become hazardous for commuters and is disrupting access to education.

 

Holding placards bearing slogans such as “We Want Education, Not Accidental Death”, the students sat beside the road to highlight what they described as the deteriorating condition of the route. The demonstrators refrained from blocking traffic, stating that they had not obtained permission for a road blockade.

 

The protest drew attention to growing concerns over safety on the road, which students said has witnessed frequent accidents and poses daily challenges for those travelling to the college. They alleged that the poor condition of the stretch has affected not only students and teachers but also local residents and patients using the route.

 

Speaking to reporters, several students said reaching the college had become increasingly difficult, with some warning that they could be forced to boycott classes if the issue remained unresolved. They also threatened to hold classes by the roadside as a mark of protest if authorities failed to act.

 

The students appealed to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Katigorah MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha to intervene and ensure immediate repair of the road.

 

A key concern raised during the protest was the incomplete widening work under the Assam Mala Project. While land acquisition for the project has reportedly been completed, students alleged that several electricity poles remain standing within the expanded road alignment, preventing the completion of construction and creating additional risks for motorists.

 

The condition of the Silchar–Jayantia Road has been a recurring issue in the region, with residents repeatedly complaining about damaged stretches and poor connectivity. The matter recently gained wider attention after a school vehicle became stranded on the road, with a video showing people pushing it free circulating widely on social media.

 

Thursday's demonstration was not the first by students of Government Model College, Borkhola. The college community has raised the issue on several occasions in the past, but the latest protest signals mounting frustration over delays in completing the road project and restoring safe access to the area.