Tinsukia, Assam, July 12 (HBTV):  The removal of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Assam has stirred up a furor.     

Uproar has erupted in the tea town of Doomdooma in Tinsukia district after the removal of a statue of the Father of the Nation from the Gandhi chowk in the city around which many large tea gardens are located.

On Wednesday, local authorities uprooted a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, triggering protests with main opposition Congress party and the powerful All Assam Students’ Union launching protests alleging that Gandhi's statue was removed allegedly to make way for the construction of a clock tower.

The 5.5 feet tall statue of the Father of the Nation, which was located at Gandhi Chowk for several years, was removed using an excavator crane.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today posted on X stating he was not aware of the decision taken by the district administration (to remove the statue).    

‘Let me verify the facts. Assam owes so much to Mahatma Gandhi. He stood firmly with Bharat Ratna Gopinath Bordoloi when the Congress party led by Nehru wanted to include Assam in Pakistan under the Grouping Plan.’