The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) launched ‘Jail Bharo’ agitation on Thursday at Guwahati along with other parts of the country against the union government’s anti-farmer and anti-labourer policies.
Protestors also took out a rally as part of the agitation from near Cotton College.
“The anti-farmers and anti-labourer policies of the BJP-led Centre forced the farmers and labourers to stage agitation demanding their rights,” CITU Assam wing general secretary Tapan Sarma said.
“The Centre has failed to formulate a proper guideline for monetary value against the crops produced by the farmers which resulted suicide of many farmers across the country. The Government has not given any importance to solve the irrigation problem also,” Sarma added.
Sarma alleged that the Centre has been trying to curb the rights of the farmers and labourers by making amendments to the Labour Act repeatedly.
“The government does not bother about the problems of the farmers and labourers of the country. The government has been working only for the interest of the capitalists and has not taken any initiative to solve the problems of the farmers and labourers,” he said.
“What was the meaning of the much hyped slogan ‘parivartan’ that the BJP shouted before 2014 Lok Sabha election?” Sarma questioned while pointing out the sky rocketing prices of essential commodities.
Demanding resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, AIKS Assam wing general secretary Tiken Das said, “During the BJP regime the farmers across the country have been feeling more insecurity. The present government’s capitalistic tendency has ruined the lives of the farmers.”
A large number of farmers and labourers from Mirza, Palashbari, Chaygaon, Boko, Khetri Amingaon and Guwahati joined the protest held at Panbazar area.
Police prevented the protest rally from moving towards Gauhati High Court. Later, police picked up the protestors and took them to the Panbazar Police Station.
