DIPHU, Sept 8 � The Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State (JACAS) ended their 146-hour hunger strike on Saturday. The hunger strike was carried out to draw the attention of the Union Government towards resumption of talks for creation of an autonomous State comprising the two hill districts of Assam, as provided in Article 244 (A) of the Constitution.
JACAS spokesperson Bijoy Teron who himself completed the long-drawn-out fast told a huge gathering of sympathisers and activists that they considered a communication from Home Ministry sources that the schedule for resumption of talks is under process and it would need some time to be finalised.
�In view of the long and arduous struggle ahead towards achievement of autonomous statehood and the urgent need of preparation for a full scale Autonomous State Demand Movement, we temporarily suspend the indefinite hunger strike after 146 hours of fasting today. However, our demand for resumption of talks for furtherance of the process of implementation of Article 244 (A) of the Constitution stands firm and the schedule of the talks should be announced within September 30, 2014,� Teron announced to the gathering.
JACAS expressed its gratitude to James Hanse, vice-chairman, Bijoy Teron, chief convenor, Samsing Hanse, convenor, Hondorsing Kramsa, spokesperson, Kangbura Timung, Khogen Teron, Riso Hanse, Khorsing Terang, Longbir Teron, Angtong Timung, Khorsing Kro and Kemson Tisso who took part in the hunger strike. �Through the press, we express our gratitude to all those who have shown their solidarity with the hunger strikers and have voluntarily extended their support and co-operation all along to the JACAS,� he said.
Later, addressing the media, Khorsing Teron, chairman of JACAS said that �in the last one year, we, the leadership of JACAS, and the active supporters have been maintaining peace in the district. The election commitment of the BJP has evoked high expectations among the hill people of Karbi Anglong and now we are under increasing pressure of the people, particularly the students and the youths. We have no alternative but to go for a full-scale agitation. The decision of non-cooperation from October 1, 2014 still stand and subject to reconsideration on the basis of Government�s response, the 1000-hour Karbi Anglong general strike shall be observed in addition to or as an alternative to the non-cooperation in the month of October�.
�The indefinite hunger strike is not a fast-unto-death as such, but to make it clear to both the State and the Central Governments that we still have not lost our faith in Indian democracy and the Government of India as well as the policy of non-violence, and to send the message that the leaders, members and supporters of the JACAS are always ready for every eventuality, even to die struggling for achieving autonomous statehood; and by going on an indefinite hunger strike from 5 am of September 1, 2014, we have driven our point home. If our non-violent and democratic approach fails to evoke positive responses from the Governments, the JACAS shall not be responsible for any consequential situation in Karbi Anglong,� Khorsing Teron maintained.
