Voice of protest rising against AHSEC in Barak Valley

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: May 19 every year is celebrated as 'martyrs' day' in Barak Valley. It was on this day in 1961 that 11 persons including a young girl sacrificed their lives for the sake of mother tongue Bengali. In fact, to pay homage to the martyrs, from morning people, men, women and children, visit the martyrs' column raised across the urban and rural areas of the valley. Memorial lectures are also organised.

This year owing to general elections, academic and examination schedule has to be recast. The examination conducted by AHSEC (Assam Higher Secondary Education Council) has been delayed and one of its examination dates coincides with May 19. This has led to growing voice of protest against AHSEC by various literary, cultural and even apolitical organisations. These organisations which include Barak Upatyaka Banga Sahitya o Sankriti Sammelan, Barak Democratic Front and a conglomerate of ten other literary and cultural bodies have cautioned if the AHSEC does not shift the examination of May 19 to other date, they will jointly give a call for Barak bandh on April 19.

Dr Rajdeep Roy, MP, today held discussion on the issue with Himanta Biswa Sarma, Education Minister, over telephone and apprised him of the growing resentment of teachers, students and people in general. Himanta Biswa Sarma assured Dr Rajdeep Roy that he would move the AHSEC to shift the examination of May 19 to some other date. This was conveyed to the media by Dr Rajdeep Roy here.

In the meantime, Kamalakha Dey Purkayastha, MLA of Karimganj, along with Sachin Sahoo met Ramesh Chandra Chutia, Secretary, Assam Higher Secondary Education Council, at his office today. Ramesh Chandra after discussing the emotive issue of Barak Valley with other officials of the Council told Kamalakha Dey Purkayastha that a modified circular on examination date in question would be issued on April 19. Pradip Dutta Roy, Chief Convener of Barak Democratic Front, reiterated at the press meet today unless the examination date of May 19 is rescheduled, call for dawn to dusk Barak bandh stands.

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