Slogans still heard at Dispur Last Gate | 12 Sep, 2017

GUWAHATI, Sept 11: Agitation is not likely to end at Dispur Last Gate till the Assam Assembly session ends. Everyday there have been organizations and parties shouting slogans since September 4 when the Assam Assembly started its September session.

Asom Sikshak Karmachari Aikya Mancha (ASKAM) members are shouting slogans in support of their demand for bringing an amendment to the new education institution provincialization Act, 2017. "The Act spells it out in no uncertain terms that only institutions established, permitted and recognized before January 1, 2006 will be provincialized. However, our demand is provincialization of institutions established, permitted and recognized before and after January 1, 2006. In accordance with the white paper published by the Government, if the new Act is followed as many as 12,141 teachers-employees of 1,370 venture educatiol institutions will be deprived of their jobs. All these schools were established with public money, and hence such teachers shouldn't be deprived of their legitimate rights," ASKAM leaders said.

The All Assam Gopal Mitra Association (AAGMA) was also staging a sit-in at Dispur Last Gate in support of their demand for training and release of their arrear remuneration of twelve years. Gopal Mitras were engaged under the aegis of Assam Livestock Development Agency (ALDA) for artificial insemition for the production hybrid cows in far-flung rural areas in the State. However, Gopal Mitras have not been getting their remuneration for the past twelve years.

Two organizations of Tea Tribes and Adivasis – Tea Tribe Adivasi United Forum and All Adivasi Tea Tribe Jagaran Association – were raising the demand for 20 per cent bonus before the Durga Puja by the tea garden magements, land pattas, a Rs 5,000-crore package for the revival of ATC gardens in the State, setting up of at least ten polytechnic colleges in tea estate areas in the State, etc. There was also another tea tribe body – All Adivasi Students' Association of Assam (AASAA) in support of their demand for immediate granting of ST status to the Adivasis and hike in tea labourers' daily wage up to Rs 300. 

The All Assam Gorkha Students' Union staged dhar demanding Nepal as MIL in Assamese, Hindi, English and Bengali schools with 15 per cent Nepali students in accordance with the RTE Act, and appointment of Nepali teachers accordingly. They also raised the demand for revamping the Gorkha Development Council in accordance with the increased population of the community. The students' body also raised the demand for two per cent quota for Gorkhas in medical, engineering and veteriry colleges in the State. They demanded the administration to use proper cultural attire to the statue of a 'Gorkha' erected at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati. "We also demand dismantling of syndicate in cattle fodder and subsidy for cattle feeds to the dairy farmers," they said.

A joint forum of motor workers was demanding cancellation of the Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill, 2017, immediate halt to the rampant charge of fines from motor transport workers and ecting a transport workers' welfare act.

Four women organizations – the Asom Mahila Sangha, Sadou Asom Pragatisheel ari Santha, Northeast Network, Nikhil Bharat Gatantrik Mahila Samiti and the Brihattar Noonmati rinirjatan Aikya Mancha – staged dhar demanding Acts against sexual assault on women at working places, approval to the Bill against witch killing etc.