Freedom fighters protest in Dispur; discussion with CM today

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Decrying the non-fulfillment of various demands by the government, more than 50 freedom fighters along with their family members from across the State staged a demonstration at Last Gate here on Friday. The protest was staged under the banner of 'Assam State Freedom Fighters Association'.

At around noon, Chief Minister's Media Adviser Hrishikesh Goswami met the demonstrators at the protest site, and invited them for discussions with the Chief Minister on Saturday. However, following the insistence of the freedom fighters on a written invitation from the government's side, the Home & Political Department handed over a formal invitation letter to them in the afternoon. Finally, the Association withdrew their decision to carry on the demonstration.

The Association demanded that national recognition be accorded to the 140 martyrs of the Patharughat (presently in Darrang district) movement of the British era; christening of the Lilabari Airport (in Lakhimpur) after Swahid Kanaklata Barua and the Sarupathar Railway Station (in Golaghat district) after Swahid Kushal Konwar.

Among the organization's 19-point charter of demands are amendment to the 'Assam Swatantrata Sainik Relief Rules-1988'; introduction of medical allowance for the freedom fighters; hike in pension from Rs 21,000 to 30,000 per month; extension of pension benefits to the descendents of the freedom fighters after their demise "as is being done in the States of Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh"; and allotment of funds for construction of the freedom fighters' bhawans at district level.

They also demanded that State funeral be accorded for the deceased freedom fighters; and seats be reserved in the State-run public buses.

The Association also demanded a number of facilities for their family members. These include 15% reservation of seats in higher education; 10% reservation in the State government jobs; Rs 5 lakh financial assistance for each of their unemployed family members "so that they can become self-reliant"; and allotment of houses for those who don't possess own accommodation facilities.

Association general secretary Dwijendra Mohan Sarma told The Sentinel, "Around 230 freedom fighters are still alive in Assam. Approximately 32,000 family members of all the freedom fighters are spread across the State. Though we have been submitting our memorandums at various points of time, there has not been any response from the Chief Minister. Left with no other option, we carried out the demonstration here."

He added, "We fail to understand as to why no meeting has been convened of the 'State Advisory Board for Freedom Fighters' for the last 30 months. The Chairman of this committee is the Chief Minister himself. According to rules, a meeting of the committee should be held in the interval of six months. This shows that the government is not at all keen to address the issues of the freedom fighters."

Among the elderly freedom fighters present during the demonstration were Krishna Lahkar, Bholanath Nagaria, Phulsand Gogoi, Bhola Barua, Gokul Gogoi, Golapi Chetia, Makhan Satnami and Puneswar Duwara.

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