'PGOM to stand up against the State's anti-Bengali attitude in every sphere'

FROM OUR Correspondent

Silchar, June 4: Members of the newly formed Purbanchal Ga Oikkho Mancha (PGOM) which comprise some of the leading persolities of Barak Valley, has decided to raise their voice against the State Government’s new recruitment rules and policies. Addressing the media-persons at a press-meet held at the meeting hall of the District Bar Association, Silchar on Sunday the members, advocate Saumitra th said, “PGOM was formed at the meeting hall of Gopith Cinema on last Sunday. The members include some advocates, human rights activists, CRPC members and many other leading persolities. We have just formed a convenor committee.”

 Sadhan Purkayastha, secretary general, Citizens’ Right Preservation Committee said, “If passing of any examition or test in order to secure a government job, the State’s eligibility criteria is not at all acceptable. Marking system is not proper. It has been made obligatory that in the LDA examition, candidates have to score 8 out of 20 marks in Assamese which means 40%. It clearly indicates the State’s apathetic attitude towards only the Bengalis but also non Assamese people. It is impossible for candidates to master all the languages. We condemn and denounce this notification.” Atin Das, poet, writer and senior jourlist, stressed on the point that there is a master mind behind all this. “It is not possible for any single person to formulate such plans. There is something very fishy which should be unearthed before it is too late. How can a Bengali candidate score 8 marks out of 20? It is not unknown or hidden to the State or the Gauhati High Court,” said Atin Das.

 Former MLA Ataur Rahman Mazarbhuiya said, “The Government’s assurance to dissolve detention camps has fallen flat on its face. Instead of being dissolved, it is swelling day by day. Inhuman treatment is being meted out to the people in those camps. People are being baselessly harassed. We will request the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar to do something about all of our demands. There is a need of a mass movement. We should come out and secure ourselves first. Till the publication of NRC, we want that the workings of the Foreign Tribul should be postponed.”

 Dr Tapodhir Bhattacharjee, litterateur and former Vice-Chancellor of Assam University said that there may be single face of an individual but it undergoes changes from place to place and time to time. “Not only have the Bengalis, but also the non Assamese people been suffering due to such anti non Assamese attitude of the State. Is it a crime to speak, learn and know Bengali in the state of Assam?” said Dr Tapodhir Bhattacharjee. Rupam ndi Purkayastha, advisor, All Cachar-Karimganj-Hailakandi Students’ Association (ACKHSA) also laid emphasis on the need and essentiality of a mass movement. “State Government should not dance to the tunes of AASU. Bengalis should not be neglected by the State. We will soon organize a mass movement if things do not change in our favour,” said Rupam ndi Purkayastha.