GUWAHATI, Nov 27 � Finally the tussle between the All Assam Students� Union (AASU) and the business firm Vishal Mega Mart over the issue of donation came to an end with the authorities of the business firm today tendering apology in writing to the people of Assam and the students� body. The authorities of the business firm also apologized to AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharyya personally for the recent episode over donation in which his name was dragged to controversy.
The Vishal authorities, represented by their COO Manshu Tandon and their retail chain president Pawan Agarwal, also announced in their written statement that the Vishal outlet would remain closed throughout the State tomorrow, �as a mark of their goodwill and respect for the people of Assam.�
The Vishal authorities clarified that they have been contributing to the AASU �at their own pleasure.� There has never been any demand. They also acknowledged the useful social activities of AASU for all sections of the people of Assam.
They admitted that one of their officers conspired with a local political person to tap the telephonic conversation between Samujjal Bhattacharyya and their organisation, without the knowledge of the top management of the firm.
�Undoubtedly, it was an unethical act. We are extremely sorry for it. We realise that the publicity given about the telephonic conversation has hurt the self-respect and sentiments of the people of Assam. We admit that the behaviour and the conspiracy of our said officer in collusion with the local political person was an attempt to lower the honour and prestige of AASU. We sincerely apologize to the people of Assam and AASU. We assure that such unethical act will never be repeated,� said the Vishal authorities.
They also said that they agreed that �Vishal would undertake social activities, especially in the field of education, on the advice of AASU.�
They assured that the local employees of Vishal would not be harassed in any way. Rather, they said, they would make efforts to �increase the employment chances of the local people.�
AASU president Sankar Prasad Roy and general secretary Tapan Kumar Gogoi told this newspaper that their organisation welcome all investors to Assam. But, the AASU leaders said, they (investors) should come to the State with the commitment towards its people. None of them should indulge in any act that may hurt the sentiments of the people of the State, warned the AASU leaders.
Meanwhile, the Asom Yuva Parishad (AYP), the youth wing of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has expelled its secretary Niren Deka from the organisation for his anti-AASU stand on the donation issue. The Parishad had earlier served a showcause notice on Deka giving him three day�s time for the reply. But Deka failed to respond to the showcause notice, said the Parishad in a press release here today.
