Assam cab unions threaten stir after CM Himanta’s ‘stranger’ barb

Three associations of cabbies in Assam have threatened to suspend services if Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma does not withdraw his comment associating ride-share services with “unknown elements”.

On Independence Day, the Chief Minister said many cab drivers associated with Ola and Uber were “strangers”, a term construed to mean people not belonging to Assam.

Three organisations – the All-Assam Cab Operators’ Union, the Sadou Asom Cab Mazdoor Sangha, and the All-Guwahati Cab Drivers’ Union – responded by asking the Chief Minister to retract his statement by the end of August or face an intense stir.

“We will enforce a chakka bandh across the State and hit the streets if the Chief Minister fails to admit his mistake,” the organisations said in a joint statement. It also demanded a “clear definition” of “unknown elements”.

CM defends statement

The Chief Minister defended his statement. “I spoke only about strangers. If the known people take offence, I cannot help it. Let them stop driving their vehicles. This government is against strangers indulging in fundamentalist activities or politics on sensitive issues in Assam,” he said.

On August 19, the Chief Minister raised the issue of “strangers” again. He said unknown elements from places like Delhi, Mumbai, or Kerala might be arrested if they are found to “cross limits” in Assam.

“We are keeping a close watch on such people. They came during the updating of the NRC (National Register of Citizens) and disrupted the process. The government did not pay much attention earlier, but we are monitoring every visitor now,” he said.

He alleged that “false kins” were generated for existing residents during the NRC process under the influence of people from outside, including social activist Harsh Mander.