Freedom fighters’ families in Assam threaten hunger strike over pending pensions

Hailakandi, Jan 19: Around 2.5 lakh family members of Assam’s freedom fighters may launch an indefinite hunger strike against the state government, alleging failure to fulfil its promise of granting a pension to one eligible successor from each family.

The Asom State Freedom Fighters’ Association, on Monday, said the issue has reached a critical stage due to what it described as the “lackadaisical approach” of the government’s Home and Political Department.

In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on January 17, the Association expressed deep dissatisfaction over the continued non-sanction of pensions.

The Association warned that continued delay could trigger widespread protests by families of freedom fighters across the State.

A copy of the letter addressed to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on January 17. (AT Photo)

General Secretary of the Association, Dwijendra Mohan Sarma, said that despite repeated assurances, no concrete steps have been taken to sanction pensions for eligible beneficiaries.

“Several months have passed, yet the government has failed to act on the pension proposals for successors of freedom fighters, most of whom are no longer alive,” he said.

Sarma alleged that the matter was being prolonged through procedural formalities, leaving affected families in prolonged uncertainty.

He said all required processes, including district-level verification by respective Deputy Commissioners, had already been completed.

Sarma also added that pension proposals for 1,436 eligible beneficiaries had been finalised and formally communicated to senior Cabinet Minister Chandramohan Patowary on January 7.

The Association also claimed to have submitted detailed calculations to the Chief Minister outlining the annual financial implications if a monthly pension of Rs 10,000, Rs 15,000, Rs 20,000 or Rs 25,000 were to be sanctioned for the identified beneficiaries.

“Despite completion of all formalities, no decision has been taken so far. Due to the inaction of the Home and Political Department, the matter remains hanging in uncertainty,” Sarma alleged.

The State government has not issued any official response to the allegations or the proposed protest so far.