GUWAHATI, Aug 25 � The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) today advocated the need for a strong Lokpal Bill to check corruption and extended support to the movement launched by Anna Hazare in this regard. The regional party has also decided to undertake a march to the Raj Bhawan on August 29 in support of its demand.
Talking to media persons here today, AGP president Chandra Mohan Patowary said that the Government of India should witjhdraw the Lokpal Bill placed in the Parliament and a new Bill incorporating the Jan Lokpal Bill should be prepared. The institution of Lokayukta in all the States should be strengthened immediately, the AGP demanded.
On the other hand, the AGP strongly criticized the State Government for its failure to provide adequate relief to the flood hit people of the State and alleged that in the last 10 years, the Government did not take any step to rehabilitate the flood and erosion affected people.
The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had assured to consider flood and erosion as national problems, but the assurance remained on paper only and the AGP today demanded that the Government of India should immediately take effective steps for permanent solution of the problems. The party also demanded that construction of mega dams should be stopped immediately as it would prove to be disastrous for Assam.
Patowary further said that the Government of Assam totally failed to provide security to the people living in the inter-state border areas. He pointed out that the Merapani area in Assam Nagaland border recently witnessed fresh violence and the State Government totally failed to ensure security of the people. On the other hand, quit notices were issued to Assamese people in Mizoram. The AGP demanded steps from the Government to find permanent solution to the inter-State boundary disputes.
