APCC stages strong protest against privatization of NRL in Golaghat district

Former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and other senior Congress leaders detained

A Correspondent

Numaligarh: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Wednesday staged a dharna at Numaligarh in Golaghat district to protest against the proposed privatization of Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL). Hundreds of protesters staged dharna and also blocked National Highways 37 and 39 for more than an hour at Numaligarh Tiniali.

Former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, APCC president Ripun Bora, Leader of Opposition Debabrat Saikia, APCC vice-president Rakibul Hussain, Congress MPs Pradyut Bordoloi and Gourav Gogoi and MLAs Rupjyoti Kurmi, Rekibuddin Ahmed, Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, Ajanta Neog and Roselina Tirkey, former MP Susmita Deb, former MLAs Rana Goswami, Arun Phukon and Bismita Gogoi along with other Congress leaders were present during the protest.

Raising his voice against the government’s decision to privatize the public sector undertakings (PSU), including NRL, former Chief Minister of Assam, Tarun Gogoi stated that almost all the industries were established during the Congress rule but the now the Narendra Modi-led BJP government was going to sell them off one by one. He also alleged that BJP had already shut down two paper mills which were set up by the Congress. Gogoi strongly criticized the government’s move to privatize other PSUs and stated that after selling off BPCL/NRL, the government would also sell NEEPCO and ONGC later.

Addressing the protesters, Congress leaders like Rakibul Hussain and Pradyut Bordoloi also said that they would never accept the government’s move to privatize NRL at any cost.

After the dharna that was held from 11 am to 1 pm at Numaligarh, the protesters took out a rally and also blocked the adjoining National Highways 37 and 39 at Numaligarh Tiniali for more than an hour. Thousands of vehicles were halted during the protest hours, causing heavy traffic jam. When the situation took a heated turn, police swung into action immediately and detained all the protesters, including former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and other senior Congress leaders.

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