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Guwahati: Former Minister of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) Biraj Kumar Sarma passed away on January 15 at a private hospital in Guwahati who was suffering from chronic liver disease. Sarma was 70 during the time of his death.
Sarma was one of the representatives of the Assam Agitation against illegal immigrants who signed the Assam Accord in presence of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Sarma was also the General Secretary of All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad while the other two Ministers Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Bhrigu Kumar Phukan were the leaders of the All Assam Students' Union.
Sarma signed the Assam Accord on 15th August 1985 along with two AGP leaders Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Bhrigu Kumar Phukan marking the end of the six year long Assam movement against illegal immigrants. Mourning the death of Mr. Sarma, Mahanta said that he have lost a pillar of strength at a time when Assam is facing a crisis similar to the one that had led to the anti-foreigners' stir 40 years ago.
Minister Sarma was the minister during Mahanta's regime of Asom Gana Parishad government.
A down-to-earth leader, Mr. Sarma was one of few AGP leaders to have survived an attack by the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom. He was critically injured while one of his security personnel died in the 1998 attack.
Sarma's last rites will be performed today after paying last tributes. The final journey will start from Chandmari Bihutoli where people will pay homage after which it will be taken to Silpukhuri namghar and Silpukhuri Bihutoli and will also be taken to head office of AGP at Ambari. Sarma's body will also be taken to Latasil field for the people and active participants in the Assam movement to bid adieu to the former minister. Lastly his body will be taken to Swahid Bhawan and Kumar Bhaskar Natya Mandir and finally his body will be taken to Navagraha crematorium where the rituals will be performed.