Sohra SDO not transferred under duress, Govt clarifies

SHILLONG: The State Government has denied media reports that Sub- Divisional Officer (Civil), Sohra Sub-Division, Ghanshyam Dass, was transferred from the post due to ‘pressure’ from pressure groups and UDP members including party president Donkupar Roy, who were opposing the move of the SDO to conduct the voters’ enrolment drive at Sohra.
Government sources on Thursday informed that Dass had sought transfer on personal grounds in January after which the matter was taken up with the Assam government and accordingly Assam agreed though the process got delayed.
The official’s transfer at a time when the pressure groups had demanded his transfer from Sohra was a plain coincidence, government sources said on Thursday.
The sources further said it would be wrong to assume that the official was removed due to political pressure.
It may be reminded that the pressure groups and some UDP leaders including party chief Donkupar Roy had demanded the removal of the SDO in protest against the manner in which the enrolment drive was carried out.
The State Government has directed Nipon Hajong, Extra Assistant Commissioner, to look after the charge of Sohra Civil Sub- Division.