Assam government issues guidelines for the chief minister’s convoy movement

Guwahati: A day after an ambulance was stopped owing to the movement of the convoy of Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Silchar, the chief minister besides apologizing for the incident the state government has issued fresh guidelines for the chief minister’s convoy movement.

Rasuraj Chakraborty, a patient who was in the ambulance that was stopped at the Ramnagar ISBT point in Silchar died at Silchar Medical College and Hospital on the morning of October 1.

Chakraborty, a resident of Bangar in Sribhumi district, was suffering from a liver-related ailment. He was brought from Sribhumi to Silchar Medical College and Hospital for advanced treatment.


The guidelines stated the size of the Chief Minister's convoy shall be restricted strictly to the minimum number of vehicles required for security and essential operational purposes.

Sarma apologised to a patient and their family after an ambulance was reportedly halted in Silchar to make way for his convoy. Four police officials were suspended for the incident.

Sarma stated in X, “Today in Silchar, an ambulance was halted to make way for my convoy. This is unacceptable, and I apologise to the patient and their family. No Chief Minister's passage should EVER take precedence over a life in need of urgent care. My directions that VIP movement must not disrupt ordinary citizens have been clear. That they were not implemented is deeply troubling. I have asked the concerned officials to take firm action against those responsible and to constitute an inquiry. Let this be a clear warning: the directives on the CM's convoy shall be enforced in letter and spirit. Anyone found violating it will face strict consequences.”

Later the office of the chief minister stated that it may be recalled that clear directions had earlier been issued to all District Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police to ensure that ambulances, fire tenders and other emergency vehicles are never obstructed on account of VIP convoy movement. In this backdrop, it is once again emphasized that under no circumstances should the movement of ambulances or other emergency vehicles be impeded on account of VIP convoy arrangements.

The chief minister’s office reiterated to all District Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police to ensure emergency vehicles, particularly ambulances, fire tenders and police response units, must be given unhindered passage at all times, irrespective of convoy movement.

Traffic regulation during VIP movement shall be so managed as to ensure that no delay or obstruction is caused to such vehicles, and the convoy may be

paused, if required, to facilitate their immediate passage. Arrangements for convoy movement shall be made in such a manner that no inconvenience is caused to the general public and routine traffic is not unduly disrupted. Officers in charge shall personally monitor compliance and hold the concerned officials accountable for any lapse.

The guidelines stated the size of the Chief Minister's convoy shall be restricted strictly to the minimum number of vehicles required for security and essential operational purposes. Ministers, MLAs, officials and other dignitaries attending the same programme(s) as the Chief Minister shall not form part of, or move alongside the Chief Minister's convoy. Such vehicles shall either proceed in advance to the destination or travel separately after the passage of the Hon'ble Chief Minister's convoy.

The guidelines stated Escort, pilot and security vehicles attached to accompanying dignitaries shall not be merged with the Chief Minister's convoy and shall be regulated separately by the local administration and police These instructions may be treated as standing directions and circulated to all subordinate officers for strict adherence. Any deviation shall be viewed very seriously.