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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Thousands then, four now: Akhil power play on

Thousands then, four now: Akhil power play on

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published Published on Jul 26, 2011   modified Modified on Jul 26, 2011
-The Times of India
 
Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) general secretary Akhil Gogoi is known for drawing huge crowds in his demonstration programmes. But on Monday, when the RTI activist launched an indefinite sit-in stir against the recent hike in electricity tariff, he had only three men and a woman by his side.

Is people's support for his campaign on social issues on the decline? Akhil reacts instantly. "The government brands us as anarchists for drawing large crowds during our protest rallies. It also blames us for creating law and order problem and clamps Section 144 CrPC. That is why we have started our protest( against electricity price hike) with only four persons.No one can now blame us for violating prohibitory orders"

Akhil said the sit-in demonstration would be an indefinite one as the meeting with ASEB chairman Subash Das did not yield any fruitful result. The KMSS has been demanding rollback of the 56 paise hike in per unit charge of electricity.

Among the four demonstrators was Yunis Ali, the father of nine-year old Ruhul Ali who was killed in the June 22 police firing on those who had taken out a rally in Dispur against the government's eviction drive on the city's fringes. Incidentally, the KMSS had led the anti-eviction protest that was attended by thousands of people.

"From August 1, consumers have to may Rs 5.46 per unit of electricity following the 56 paisa hike. This is not justified for an underdeveloped state such as Assam. The government can easily spare the common consumers from the hike by increasing the subsidy for electricity. Instead, the government is adamant on giving huge subsidies to big industries," Akhil claimed.

The KMSS demanded that the demonstration would be called off only after the government rolled back the hike, increased subsidy in the power sector and restructured the electricity policy for the benefit of common consumers.

"We will continue with our demonstration till the government waives of the 56 paise hike and promises to increase subsidy in the power sector. It has to ensure that the common consumers do not have to bear the brunt of rise in electricity cost," Akhil said.

The KMSS claimed Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab give over Rs 2000 crore of subsidy, while the amount of subsidy in the electricity sector in Karnataka and Rajasthan is over Rs 1,000 crore.

"But in Assam, the subsidy was zero. It was just ahead of the assembly elections that the government announced a Rs 48 crore subsidy. This was a bid to lure the voters. But this Rs 48 crore subsidy was only a one-time relief. According to our estimate, a subsidy to the tune of Rs 200 crore will be enough to give relief to the consumers," Akhil said.

The RTI activist was arrested in connection with the Dispur clash in which three persons were killed after police swooped down at the Press Club while he was addressing a news conference. He was charged with 10 cases of rioting, arsoning, damaging public property and illegal meeting.

Accusing him of instigating violent activists in Dispur area here on June 22, police took him into custody when he was addressing a crowded press conference. Altogether 10 cases, including four non-bailable ones, were registered against the peasant leader with police accusing him of being responsible for leading the violent activists demanding land deed for the government land which they had encroached on the hills.

The Gauhati high court later granted bail to the RTI activist The court took cognizance of the fact that there were two inquiries ordered by the state government. The court even agreed to the fact that Akhil had no criminal antecedents and should be released.

The Times of India, 26 July, 2011, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Thousands-then-four-now-Akhil-power-play-on/articleshow/9364067.cms


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