The All Assam Students' Union (Aasu) held a protest in Dibrugarh on Friday as part of a statewide agitation against the escalating prices of essential commodities. The protest aimed to urge government intervention to alleviate the financial burden on the common people.
Protest Details
Aasu members marched through the city carrying cutouts of LPG cylinders and raised slogans against the BJP-led state government. They criticized the rising prices of petrol, diesel, LPG, cooking oil, medicines, vegetables, and other daily necessities. Similar demonstrations took place across various locations in Assam.
Allegations Against the Government
The protesters alleged that despite securing a massive mandate in the elections, the government has failed to control inflation. They claimed that daily necessities have become unaffordable for families due to the lack of effective measures.
Samiran Phukon, the Dibrugarh district general secretary of Aasu, blamed the government's price-monitoring mechanism for the failure. He stated, "The task force formed by the government in each district to check price rise has failed in its purpose. Prices continue to rise unchecked, while black marketeers operate freely. The government must take action against those artificially inflating prices and exploiting consumers." Phukon added that price rise should be the central issue in the ongoing assembly session. "The people of Assam gave the BJP-led government a landmark majority. In return, it is the government's responsibility to ensure that essential commodities remain affordable," he said.
Rupjyoti Borthakur, the Aasu Dibrugarh district president, expressed the plight of the common man, saying, "The common man is finding it extremely difficult to survive. We demand immediate intervention."
Memorandum Submitted
Following the protest, the organization submitted a memorandum to District Commissioner Bikram Kairi, addressed to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The memorandum sought urgent measures to control prices and strengthen district-level monitoring task forces.
This protest is part of a larger movement across Assam, highlighting the growing concern over inflation and its impact on the daily lives of citizens.
