Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 150
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 151
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Assam rallies in support of Hazare KMSS stages sit-in at Dispur

Assam rallies in support of Hazare KMSS stages sit-in at Dispur

Share this article Share this article
published Published on Apr 9, 2011   modified Modified on Apr 9, 2011
Veteran social activist Anna Hazare’s crusade against corruption, that has spread like wildfire across the country, has found extensive support in Assam.

The 72-year-old Gandhian began his fast-unto-death at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Tuesday, demanding the enactment of Jan Lokpal Bill to tackle corruption. He wants 50 per cent representatives from civil society to be included in the joint committee that will draft the bill.

In Guwahati, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), which has been at the forefront of anti-corruption movement in Assam, today launched an indefinite sit-in at Dispur Last Gate at 11am to express solidarity with Hazare’s fast-unto-death for a corruption-free India.

The protest comes three days before the second phase of polls on April 11. The KMSS had made corruption the talking point in these elections by launching a crusade against the “corrupt” Tarun Gogoi government.

KMSS publicity secretary Kamal Kumar Medhi said they had started the sit-in to support Hazare’s demand and wanted the bill drafted by eminent social activists, including Prashant Bhushan and Arvind Kejriwal, to be accepted. Later in the evening, the KMSS shifted its venue to Dighalipukhuri where other pressure groups, including Save Guwahati Build Guwahati, and social crusaders were demonstrating to express solidarity with Hazare.

By evening, a group of citizens gathered there to take out a candlelit rally following an SMS campaign. BJP MP Bijoya Chakraborty also participated in the rally. “I am with Hazare in his fight against corruption,” the MP said.

The rally attracted several hundred individuals who seemed to be inspired by Bhupen Hazarika’s song Manuhe Manuhur Babei that played in the background.

Medhi said their protest would continue till Hazare ended his fast-unto-death.

“In January this year, KMSS had demanded enactment of a strong anti-corruption law on the lines of Jan Lokpal Bill in Assam. We feel that such a strong law can only end the prevailing politics of corruption and encourage value-based politics in Assam,” Medhi said.

He said setting up of institutions like Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayukta in each state, which will be independent of the governments, can only curb corruption.

Like KMSS, Save Guwahati Build Guwahati (SGBG), a Guwahati-based pressure group, also organized a protest meeting in support of Hazare’s movement, demanding the enactment of the Jan Lokpal Bill by the Union government. It appealed all the people of the state to stand united against the deep-rooted corruption prevalent in society.

“We cannot let Anna Hazare’s fast go waste. People should lend their full support to this movement and demand that the Jan Lokpal Bill be ratified by the Union government without delay. We vote our representatives to power with the hope that they will work for the country but instead they abuse their positions by engaging in corruption at all levels, resulting in total anarchy in the society. The Jan Lokpal Bill is the only way to prevent people from, engaging in corrupt practices,” Dhiren Baruah, president of SGBG, said.

Umesh Chandra Goswami, 72, a retired state government employee and a resident of Beharbari in the city, had also launched a sit-in at Dispur Last Gate yesterday. Many citizens joined him today. “If we can hit the streets when India won the cricket world cup, we should also hit the road to support Hazare’s movement since he is fighting against corruption,” Goswami said.

“Last evening, I saw Goswami sitting alone carrying a placard expressing solidarity with Hazare. I was moved by his gesture and decided to join him,” Jitu Das, a young businessman, said.

The Dibrugarh-based Policy Group for People’s Rights organised a meeting at Thana Charali in the town to express solidarity with Hazare.

People and organisations from different walks of life participated in the meeting and pledged support to the Gandhian. Several organisations and leading individuals took out a candlelit procession from Marwaripatty Charali last evening. The Chaliha Nagar and Bordoloi Nagar Citizens’ Fora and the Senior Citizens’ Forum of Tinsukia have decided to organise a sit-in in front of Tinsukia District Library from 8am tomorrow.

The Telegraph, 9 April, 2011, http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110409/jsp/frontpage/story_13831619.jsp


Related Articles

 

Write Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Video Archives

Archives

share on Facebook
Twitter
RSS
Feedback
Read Later

Contact Form

Please enter security code
      Close