Protests erupt in Baksa over bridge collapse

The United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL)-led Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) government is under fire as protests broke out in Baksa district following the collapse of a vital bridge, cutting off several villages. Local residents blocked roads and raised slogans against the BTR administration and Chapaguri MLA Urkhao Goura Brahma, expressing outrage over deteriorating infrastructure and lack of government action.

The bridge collapse has severely impacted daily life, leaving the area disconnected and posing dangers to pedestrians and cyclists. Four-wheelers can no longer access the route, and residents now face significant challenges in transportation. Protesters, frustrated by the three-year tenure of MLA U.G. Brahma, accused him of failing to deliver on development promises in the Chapaguri constituency.

A particularly dangerous pit formed due to erosion on the road connecting Dumuni and Daodhara, further exacerbating the situation. With the road now only accessible by bicycle, pedestrians face serious safety risks. Chants such as “Pramod Boro Hai Hai” and “Urkhao Gaura Brahma Hai Hai” echoed throughout the protests, with demands for immediate action to restore the collapsed bridge and improve the region’s infrastructure. Protesters criticized BTR Chief Pramod Boro’s grand vision for the region, sarcastically contrasting it with the reality faced by local residents.

By Sonakshi Sarkar