An ambulance being stopped to make way for Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s convoy in Silchar on September 30 has triggered an immediate administrative response, including a public apology from the chief minister and the suspension of four police personnel. The incident occurred on Sarma’s visit to the city where he was campaigning ahead of the October 3 municipal polls in Barak Valley.
According to reports, the ambulance was stopped at the Ramnagar ISBT area near the chief minister's convoy and traffic arrangements were made for it. The video went online and people saw the ambulance waiting for the convoy as it passed through the area. The incident attracted criticism on the handling of the emergency vehicles during VIP movements.
The issue went straight to the Chief Minister, who apologised to the patient and the family. In an X post, Sarma said that an ambulance had been halted to make way for his convoy and that it was a regrettable situation. He also said the chief minister’s performance is not to be compared to that of a person needing medical care.
Himanta Sarma Orders Inquiry Into Ambulance Halt
After the incident, Sarma ordered an investigation into how the situation happened and how the existing directions on VIP movement were not followed. The chief minister said he has already been advised that movement of his convoy should not disrupt ordinary citizens.
Sarma also ordered officials to take firm action against those responsible. He said the rules governing the chief minister’s convoy would be enforced and officials who breach them would be punished severely.
The government action culminated in the suspension of four Assam Police officers who were on duty at the time of the incident. Sub-Inspector Bijoy Goswami, Sub-Inspector Sibsankar Das, LNK Jahurul Islam and LNK Kawsar Ahmed Barbhuiya were among those suspended.
Four Assam Police Personnel Suspended
Four officials were posted in different police and traffic units in the Silchar area. Goswami was the officer in charge of Srikona Police Post under Silchar Police Station, while Das was associated with NH Way Police Post. Jahurul Islam was posted at Katigorah Police Station, and Kawsar Ahmed Barbhuiya was serving with the Traffic Branch in Silchar.
The suspensions came within hours of Sarma’s public apology and direction for action. Assam Police officials also reiterated instructions to prevent a repeat of the incident and ensure that emergency vehicles get priority when roads are being managed for VIP movements.
This episode has once again put in focus the challenge of keeping security arrangements for senior political leaders and ensuring that ordinary traffic and emergency services are not delayed. Ambulances, fire tenders and other emergency vehicles need to be able to move through the traffic unimpeded, especially for patients or emergency services in need of attention.
Assam Government Issues Fresh Directions For VIP Convoys
The Assam Government has also reinforced its guidance on VIP convoy movements. Emergency vehicles should not be blocked and convoy arrangements should minimise disruption to regular road users, the new directions suggest.
The following steps have been taken after that incident: restrictions on unnecessary additional vehicles in VIP convoys, restrictions on traffic disruption and a greater emphasis on emergency vehicles being able to pass without obstruction. The directions are meant to make convoy movements more controlled, and decrease their impact on regular traffic.
The Silchar incident has also brought home the fact that security is not just about security but also about traffic management. Police officers on convoy duty need to coordinate the road movement but the incident has also put in perspective how much the need for such arrangements is to avoid emergency services from reaching hospitals or other destinations.
Not giving a way to ambulance just because your leader in the car! pic.twitter.com/hwf22gehBU
— Gabbar (@Gabbar0099) October 1, 2026
Sarma Had Earlier Stressed Minimal Public Disruption
The chief minister’s response to this also referred to his previous directives that VIP movements should not inconvenience ordinary citizens. Sarma said he was concerned that those instructions had not been implemented during the Silchar visit.
The issue is not entirely new to the Assam administration. Sarma had publicly reprimanded the then Nagaon deputy commissioner after traffic was stopped for his convoy in January 2022, according to reports. The latest incident has therefore renewed discussion about how such instructions are implemented on the ground.
And for now, the four police personnel remain suspended as the investigation into the ambulance stoppage is ongoing. Emergency medical vehicles should be given priority when managing roads for VIP vehicles, the government has said.
The episode has not only gone beyond a single traffic incident, but it has also prompted administrative action and new instructions on convoy management. Sarma’s apology, the suspension of the four personnel and the reinforcement of emergency vehicle priority rules were the immediate response to the incident in Silchar.
