The Assam government has virtually blacked out information to the media, with strict orders asking police and civil officials not to speak unauthorisedly to journalists.

A formal notification has been issued to this effect, leading opposition parties to accuse the Congress government of trying to hide facts to shield rampant corruption in the state.

A middle-ranking bureaucrat was suspended last week after he gave an interview to a local TV channel highlighting the need for more funds to improve roads and other infrastructure.

"If all officials speak to the media, there is a fear that facts will get distorted and so we have decided to impose restrictions in accordance with existing service rules and guidelines," Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said.

Today even senior police officials are scared to provide details of any rebel-related incidents to journalists, fearing government action.

"Please do no quote me or else I will lose my job," a district police chief told IANS when asked for some information relating to an encounter with militants. 

With assembly elections due early next year, the state government is going all out to ensure that its image is not sullied by officials.

"We shall appoint nodal officers in each district to talk to the media on any matters. He or she will be the sole official spokesperson for that district," the chief minister said.

The worst affected is the media which is now depending on hearsay or some bold officials who are speaking on conditions of anonymity. Political parties have come down heavily on the ban on officials interacting with the media.

"This is nothing but an attempt to conceal facts and the right to information. It has exposed the government's wrong policies and blatant corruption in all spheres of life," Dilip Saikia, general secretary of the opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), told IANS. 

"Today Assam is like a state under a military dictator who does not trust anybody."