Barak students' body observes raising day

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR, May 17: All Cachar-Karimganj-Hailakandi Students Association observed its 33rd foundation day on May 15 at the premises of its central office, here. All the members of the central committee were present on that day. Celebration began with the hoisting of the Flag by the president of ACKHSA, Birendra Kumar Singha, former head of the department, department of Sanskrit, Gurucharan College, Silchar and other important members of the central committee. The day was observed at the central office which was supervised by Birendra Kumar Singha.

 Rupam ndi Purkayashta, advisor and also the former president of ACKHSA, in his iugural speech, said, “ACKHSA came into being on May 15, 1983. It was established in the premises of A K Chanda College. The journey of ACKHSA began from here and it is still thriving.” He informed that ACKHSA was the result of a joint effort by Partha Ranjan Chakraborty and Pradip Dutta Roy who first organised a 21-member committee. Rupam ndi said, “ACKHSA was born out of the need for a central university. It was ACKHSA’s initiative that resulted in the establishment of Assam University. ACKHSA protested against various political games that conspired to stop establish Assam University.” On August 13, 1984, a new committee came into being after an ad hoc committee was dissolved. At that time, Pradip Dutta Roy was selected as the president of ACKHSA.

 Purkayashta said, “Assam University, to some extent, owes its establishment to ACKHSA. It was the organisation’s series of relentless protest from 1983 to 1993 that resulted in the formation of the University in Barak Valley. We had received many threats from all sides, still we fought and won.”

A large number of people had supported ACKHSA in its endeavour to establish a central university. “Another remarkable date, February 28, 1986, comes into our mind. SEBA issued a circular that non-Assamese students will have to opt for Assamese. It was ACKHSA that protested against it along with massive support from the residents of Barak Valley,” he added.

 “AASU and AGP protested against the iuguration of Assam University and 10 hours strike was also observed in the valley. Assam University’s struggle does not end here. Gauhati University declared that it will not conduct any examitions. At that crucial time, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) stood by Assam University. These achievements are but, fruits of long protests, bloodsheds, tears, sweat and turmoil on the part of the members of ACKHSA and also those who have supported us,” Purkayashta further said.

He also touched upon the issue of NRC and said that it is a conspiracy to remove the non-Bengalis from the soil of this country. He said another mass protest has become inevitable.

ACKHSA’s advisor, Siddharth Sengupta, who is also an advocate by profession, said, “Barak needs ACKHSA as ACKHSA has been guarding the Valley in its adventure and endeavour.”

Biswajit Deb, convener, ACKHSA said that whoever comes into power after the declaration of results on May 19, a mass protest, demonstration is needed in order to solve the NRC issue. Birendra Kumar Singha said, “ACKHSA has always supported peaceful demonstrations and protests and it will work for the larger interest of the residents of Barak Valley.