STAFF REPORTER GUWAHATI:
Assam Accord Implementation department: Implementation of Assam Accord Minister Atul Bora visited the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) office, Swahid Nyas in Guwahati and held a meeting with the leaders of the students union.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Assam Accord Implementation Minister Atul Bora said, "After taking the responsibility of Implementation of the Assam Accord, I have come here to express the greater political goodwill, and the state government has given greater importance to its implementation of the Assam Accord in coming days."
"Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is also serious on the said matter and keen to resolve the issues related to the accord," the Minister added. Thanking the AASU's president Dipanka Kumar Nath and chief advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya, the Minister said that he has a lot of memories in the Swahid Nyas as he was also the president of this students' union.
Further, the Minister added that now that the Government has given priority to the implementation of the Assam Accord, he has got an opportunity to fulfil the dreams of the people of Assam and will work along with the cooperation of AASU.
"I will utilize the opportunity given to me by God truthfully and will commit no mistakes," said Atul Bora.
Speaking about the Martyrs families, the Minister said that many families have not received any ex gratia, and he has identified 55 such cases and the government would require AASU's assistance so that action can be taken quickly.
"During the Assam agitation 79 persons who received bullet injuries are yet to receive any ex gratia from the government, and I urge the AASU to help identify the victims," the Minister said.
Atul Bora stated that to date the definition of victims of the Assam agitation has not been framed, however with consultation the AASU can conclude.
The AASU has also spoken about the other clauses mentioned in the Assam Accord. As the Chief Minister also holds the Home portfolio, Atul Bora will discuss the matter in details with him and take it forward.
"With this opportunity vested upon me now and assurance from the Chief Minister I will do everything for the implementation," Bora added.
Speaking on the occasion, AASU's chief advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya said, "It is a great moment for us as the Minister of Implementation of Assam Accord himself came forward to the Swahid Nyas and expressed his interest for the implementation of the accord."
Bhattacharya further said that the entire agenda of the Assam Accord is historic and the union will take it going forward. "We need results," added the student advisor.
Atul Bora is the first minister to come forward to Swahid Nyas for an informal meeting after the signing of the Assam Accord in 1985.
AASU's president Dipanka Kumar Nath speaking to the media said, "We will be satisfied only after the implementation of the Assam Accord."
Further, he added, "Although several clauses of the Assam Accord are at an advanced stage yet none of them is completed. We hope Minister Atul Bora will take it forward."
AASU's general secretary Sankor Jyoti Baruah was also present in the discussion.