BARPETA, Sept 28 - Responding to a call by the Sarthebari Subdivision Demand Committee for a gana satyagraha, thousands of people gathered in the circle office campus of Sarthebari Revenue Circle demanding a new civil subdivision in the eastern part of Barpeta with Sarthebari as its headquarters. The people first assembled in the PWD inspection bungalow at Sarthebari Natun Bazar area and then proceeded towards the circle office defying scorching heat.
Led by Banikanta Bhuyan, working president of the demand committee, Harmohan Barman, vice president and Prahlad Talukdar and Haramohan Barman, secretaries of the committee, the rally was participated by people from all walks of life. Participation of a large number of womenfolk and students gave the rally an extra impetus.
They demanded a new subdivision with Sarthebari as its headquarters, besides expediting the process of development of the eastern part of Barpeta district. At the same time, they also warned the government against the evil of deprivation to this vast area.
Addressing the rally, Haramohan Barman, secretary of the demand committee, said that the spirit of unity among the people of this locality will definitely compel the authorities to attend to the demand of the people. Rita Deka, a Congress leader and chairperson of the Assam State Marketing Board, said there should not be any ifs and buts regarding a subdivision here. She emphatically demanded that the State government must fulfil the demand for mutual benefits. Another Congress leader Jahuruddin Ahmed also endorsed the view saying that until and unless the legitimate demand is not met they will be putting pressure on the government from inside.
Student leader Gunajit Choudhury criticized the so-called Raijar Padulit Raijar Sarkar scheme initiated by the government, saying that although the government claims to minimize the gap between the administration and the people, it is not so in reality and hence, the people of this area have been engaged in a 45-year-long struggle for a subdivision. Teachers Bipul Deka, Ayub Ali Ahmed, Putul Ali Sheikh and Biren Roy also addressed the gathering.
