CPI(M) urges reopening of Wimco and Rupshi Airport

DHUBRI, Dec 2: The 15th annual conference of Dhubri district unit of CPI (M) got underway from Saturday with a two-day long programme at their office hall room.

In the open meeting held at Srimanta Sankardev Sishu Udyan on Saturday, the party leaders raised various demands, including reopening of the Wimco and Rupshi airport.

Addressing the party workers, followers and sympathizers, party leader Nur Mahammad said that Wimco was the economic backbone of Dhubri but it was closed down in 1996 displacing over 2,500 workers while Rupshi airport was closed down in 1984.

“The government should stop the sale of over 150 bighas of land of Wimco to private party and instead purchase the land and open up a new industry and provide employment to local people. Rupshi airport was one of the best air strips in the country used in World War II. So it should also be reopened immediately for better communication with the rest of the country,” Mahammad demanded. Making a scathing attack on the BJP, Mahammad said that due to demonetization and introduction of GST (Goods and Services Tax) by the Central Government led by BJP, economy of the country was passing through a bad phase.

In his speech, Mahammad also spoke at a length against the BJP for dividing the society on commul lines and vitiating the atmosphere with hatred and distrust.

Secretary of Dhubri district unit CPI (M), Tripath th Chakraborty, while outlining the various movement that the party led to get various demands fulfilled, said that it was result of a long movement launched by the party that river port was about to open, Dhubri got connected with an altertive power supply line from Salakati, railway services from Dhubri was resumed in 2010 after 23 years and works of Dhubri Medical College got started.

“Nothing can be achieved without struggle and movement. There are misleading statements and rumours doing rounds about the NRC update and this has created a great deal of confusion in the minds of people. So, we demand that mes of all people who came before March 24, 1971 to be included in the NRC update,” Chakraborty added. 

On the eviction of roadside vendors, Chakraborty demanded that rehabilitation plan should be made prior to dismantling houses and evicting the vendors in Dhubri and elsewhere because they pay toll to lessees.

Chakraborty also demanded store houses and cold storage for vendors dealing in perishable goods and green vegetables for the benefit of farmers and sellers of agriculture products. Many leaders of party also addressed the open meeting.