Swahid Divas Observed at Barpeta

Giving a new twist to the ongoing movement against the foreign nationals and demand for the upgradation of the National register of Citizens(NRC) spearheaded by the All Assam Students Union (AASU) a number of organisations today came out openly to support the organisations in the issues related to the national interest. The organisations include All Assam Tribal Sangh,Naga Students Union, All Rabha Students Union, All Dimasa Students Union, All Assam Gorkha Students Union, All Assam Garia Maria Deshiya Parishad, All Bodo Students Union, Asom Sena and All Kosh rajbonshi Students Union. Leaders of these organisations assembled at Barpeta where they addressed a public meeting organised by the All Barpeta Students Union in association with Barpeta Anchalik Students Union to observe the Martyrs day centrally by AASU.

Addressing the gathering AASU think tank and advisor to the organisation Dr Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya reiterated their demand of free Assam from any kind of foreiners, seal the Indo Bangla Border and update the NRC with the present form. He criticised the government for its failure to honour the Assam Accord and decision taken in subsequent meetings for implementation several of it clauses. Adducing his accusation the student leader stated that the decision to update the NRC was taken in a tripartite meeting held on the 5th of May 2005. The meeting attended by the Prime Minister of India, Chief Minister of Assam and representative of AASU decided that process of updation of the NRC would be completed within two years. But the government took five years to begin it only to abandon it half way after the demand of a section of the anti national forces.

Aditya Khakhlary Secretary of the All Assam tribal sangh clerly stated that whereas other tribal organisations have concentrated their movement demanding improvements of certain conditions of their own AASU has demanded all round development of the state and protection of all the tribes of the state. He urged upon all to co-operate the efforts of AASU and warned that a vigorous movement with much intensity than that of the eighties has been imminent in the present context of the state. He also rediculed the state government for bowing down to the pressur of the anti national forces in respect of the NRC updation process.

Mr N S N Lotha Ex president of Naga Students Association and ex secretary of NESO expressed concerned about the present state of affairs in the North East Region and reaffirmed their commitment to protect the land and lives of the indigenous people of the region. " We are the most unfortunate people in this world as we have to remind the government often about its duty and responsibility." said Mr Prafulla Hafila president All Dimasa Students Union and accused the government in Dispur and Delhi of acting in favour of the foreigners rther than protecting the interest of the indigenous people.

Tankeswar Rabha president All Rabha Students Union urged the politicians including the chief minister Tarun Gogoi and the intellectuals of the state to identify as Assamese first and then act in their respective field. He warned against any move of politicising the issue of NRC lest face a vigorous movement. Rwngwra Narzary advisor to the All Bodo Students Union demanded a timebound plan and action to solve the problem of the state including thet of foreigner's. Hafijur Rahman general secretary of All Assam Garia Maria Deshiya Parishad stressed upon the need of unity among the indigenous people as well as religious harmony among the people of Assam . Atul Ray President All Kosh Rajbonshi Students Union Bhaskar Dahal president All Assam Gorkha Students Union and Nilopher Rahman chief convenor of Asom Sena also expressed solidarity to the denmands raised by AASU.

Earlier Tapan Gogoi secretary of AASU spoke about the significance of the Martyrs day observed by the union and explained the AASU's viewpoint in respect of the burning problems of the state.. The open meeting presided over by Sankar Prasad ray president of the AASU was formally inaugurated by Nabajit Das Pathak Deka Satriya of Barpet Satra.

Rich tribute was paid to 855 martyrs who sacrificed their lives during six years long Assam agitation. Family members of a number of martyrs families were given warm falicitation by the student leaders. The state level programme in the district head quartes of the district which produced the first martyrs of the historic six years movement and where the pilot project for NRC Updation was began and abandoned after the opposition of the AAMSU bears significance in the context f the future of the state.