GUWAHATI, Aug 3 � Strongly protesting the failure of the Union as well as the State governments to implement the Assam Accord, signed 25 years back for safeguarding the interest of the indigenous people, the All Assam Students� Union (AASU) would launch a Statewide movement in the days to come.
Addressing the media today, the students� body lambasted all the political parties who formed governments at the Centre and in the State in the past 25 years, for their utter negligence towards the problems being faced by the people of Assam.
�The historic accord, signed on August 15, 1985, would complete 25 years on the coming Independence Day. But unfortunately, the commitment made at a national level and signed by the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi has been completely dishonoured by the governments at the Centre and in the State,� AASU adviser Samujjal Bhattacharya said.
�Whereas the Congress party, despite being in power for the longest duration at the Centre and in the State, failed to implement the Accord, the AGP, which came into being due to the Assam Movement, did not keep its promise of working for the interest of the State and its people. The BJP government at the Centre also did not hold any tripartite talk on the issue during its tenure,� he mentioned.
�The AASU would go on a Statewide �Satyagraha� demanding implementation of the accord on August 10 in all the districts of the State except in Barpeta.
�Despite six years of democratic movement and 25 years of signing of the accord the State is facing the problem of illegal migration which has posed a threat to the identity of the indigenous people,� he added.
From August 14 till the flag hoisting on August 15, the AASU members would go on a hunger strike in Guwahati. The student body would also launch a strong public movement in Guwahati in the last week of August on the issues of NRC update, constitutional safeguard to the indigenous people, big dams on Brahmaputra, flood and erosion problems of the State and protection of Majuli river island.
�We cannot forget that the Accord was signed after a vigorous movement during which 855 protesters lost their lives and 1,000 of them became physically disabled. However, just to get the Bangladeshi votes, the political parties did not try to implement the Assam Accord,� Bhattacharya added.
The AASU has already started to hold workshops in all the district headquarters from today, for lodging a strong protest.
