GUWAHATI: Three individuals, including two graffiti artists, have been detained by the Guwahati police for allegedly displaying the slogan "Kick Himanta Save Nature" in protest against tree cutting in Bharalumukh.
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The detained individuals, identified as Marshal Baruah, Angkuman Bordoloi, and Kamal Kumar, were taken into custody in the early hours of Sunday. They are currently being interrogated at the Bharalumukh police station, according to a senior official from the West Guwahati Police District (WGPD) who spoke to GPlus
The protest reportedly began with the message "Please Himanta Save Nature," but was later altered, reflecting the protesters’ frustration over the Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma-led BJP government's decision to cut down trees across the city.
Residents and student groups have been protesting in Bharalumukh since Saturday night, with growing opposition to the Public Works Department’s (PWD) tree-cutting initiative. The department has marked over 70 trees for removal as part of a project to construct a flyover intended to alleviate traffic congestion near the railway gate in the area.
This protest echoes similar actions previously seen in Dighalipukhuri, where citizens rallied against deforestation linked to city development projects. The protesters are now urging authorities to hold a public hearing and obtain community consent before proceeding with further tree removal.