DENKA/GUMTO, Jul 17: Environment & Forests Minister Nabam Rebia faced an embarrassing situation when he and his entourage were prevented from visiting his own constituency by Assam Police on Monday while travelling through Laluk in Assam.
Rebia, who was supposed to visit Denka and lay the foundation stone for the Chief Minister’s Adarsh Gram Yojana (model village) there, was obstructed twice, near the rail-crossing and Gabaru bridge, for more than an hour by police.
The minister from Arunachal Pradesh and his entourage were allowed to proceed to Denka only after North Lakhimpur Deputy Commissioner Jeevan B intervened. When asked, the Deputy Commissioner, however, refused to make any comment over the incident.
Rebia himself described the episode as very unfortunate and uncalled for.
“Denka is my constituency and there is no question of stopping me from visiting my own constituency,” the minister said, addressing a public meeting later.
He played down the speculation that the incident might have taken place because of boundary problem.
“This is not a matter of boundary dispute. There is no point of confrontation between the two neighbouring states over boundary,” Rebia said, adding that a communication gap might have led to the incident.
“Whatever has happened to me today should not repeat and happen to others in future,” Rebia said.
Despite the freak incident, Rebia appealed to the people of both the neighbouring states to maintain peace and communal harmony that have existed since time immemorial.
Later, Rebia told media persons that the foundation laying programme was also cancelled following a request from the Lakhimpur deputy commissioner.
The minister was accompanied by Papum Pare (rural) Deputy Commissioner Dr Joram Beda and various other departmental heads of the district.
