Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will meet a delegation of protesting locals of Raha, who have been demanding the setting up of an AIIMS in their town in central Assam.

The AIIMS Demand Committee, a body set up to press for the setting up of the premiere health institute in Raha, has decided to suspend the agitation, in view of the CM’s invite for a meeting. Earlier last month, the state government had handed over around 571 acres of land at Changsari in Kamrup district for the setting up of the hospital. This became the trigger for protests in Raha. Protesters blocked NH 37, and clashed with police personnel. In the subsequent clashes, a protester lost his life, and a 10-hour bandh was called by locals.

Interestingly, the Assam Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also seems to be divided on the subject. Union Minister of State Railways and BJP MP Rajen Gohain has voiced his support for the construction of the super-specialty hospital in Raha. Another BJP MP, Ram Prasad Sharma has written to the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda, questioning the decision of setting up AIIMS in Changsari.

The Assam government had sent the proposal of setting up of an AIIMS to the centre way back in 2001. While after 15 long years, there seems to be some movement in that direction, the chain of violence and protests could have been handled better.