Doomdooma: The All Moran Students’ Union (AMSU) on Wednesday strongly condemned the detention of Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuva-Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) president Palash Changmai, general secretary Bijon Bayan and several other office-bearers by Assam Police at Sonapur Toll Gate.
AMSU president Palindra Borah said the AJYCP leaders were detained while they were on their way to stage a democratic and peaceful protest over their legitimate demands and rights.
“Every citizen in a democratic country has the right to peacefully protest for their legitimate demands and rights. Detaining protesters who are exercising such democratic rights is in no way acceptable,” Borah said.
He demanded that the Assam government and the state police administration immediately and unconditionally release all the detained AJYCP office-bearers.
The AMSU president further said any attempt to curb democratic rights and silence voices of protest would be opposed through democratic means.
“The All Moran Students’ Union will always raise its voice democratically against any attempt to curtail democratic rights and suppress the voice of protest,” Borah said.
AJYCP staged a strong protest at the Nazirakhat Toll Gate in Sonapur on Wednesday, demanding an immediate halt to toll collection until the damaged NH-27 is properly repaired.
Hundreds of AJYCP leaders and workers gathered at the toll plaza and raised slogans against the authorities amid tight police security.
The protest followed the fatal Khetri-Dimoria accident on August 30, in which seven people were killed, reportedly after a road hazard.
Toll collection had briefly been suspended following public protests but was later resumed. AJYCP warned that it would oppose toll payment until the highway is completely repaired and made safe for commuters.
The detention has drawn condemnation from student organisations.