Mass Protests Erupt Across Assam Following Arrest of Former AASU Leader

Duliajan: Following the arrest of former General Secretary of All Assam Students Union, Sankorjyoti Baruah, today several organisations organised protest programs. The district units of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Charaideo organised a joint protest program in front of Oil India Limited's registered head office today. The protesters demanded immediate cancellation of the lease agreement of the BN Singh Petrol pump. AJYCP alleged irregularities in the sanction process of the petrol pump station of BN Singh petrol pump by OIL's land lease agreement. OIL has shown illogical sympathy to the hindi lobby business sections, while our Assamese indigenous youths are starving for employment. The protesters alleged. After the protesters agitated for hours in front of the OIL General Office gate ignoring rains, representatives from OIL management and District administration met the protests leadership. After a failed attempt of discussion, the protesters again started the protest demanding cancellation of the lease agreement of BN Singh petrol pump. Udayan Baruah, president, Gauranga Gogoi, secretary, Dibrugarh District Committee, Prabin Tamuly, president, Kalyan Jyoti Moran, secretary, AJYCP, Tinsukia District Committee, Jharna Mahan, president, Langkeswar Gogoi, secretary, Charaideo District Committee lead the protest among others. Reacting to the same cause, the members of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sivasagar district units gathered at the BN Singh petrol pump near Duliajan PS. Led by Rantu Pani Phukan, chief secretary, Horo Kumar Gogoi, organising secretary, Utpal Dutta, publicity secretary, Mohini Mohan Ligira, Dibrugarh District president, Pranjit Gogoi, Dibrugarh District secretary, Bhoben Handique, Dibrugarh District publicity secretary, Rintu Dutta, Dibrugarh District organising secretary, more than hundred agitators unitedly raised slogans against the owners of BN Singh petrol pump. They wanted immediate bandh of the petrol pump and demanded an inquiry into the matter. We, the indigenous Assamese will not bow down in front of the non Assamese external Hindi lobby. Bir Lachit Sena members said.It may be mentioned that Sankorjyoti Baruah was arrested yesterday for alleged involvement in the case related to BN Singh petrol pump on Saturday. While the members of All Tai Ahom Students Union led by central president Milan Buragohain, Brihattar Mahila Mancha, Mottock Yuva Chatra Sanmilan, Asomiya Yuva Mancha demanded the owner of the petrol pump, Raj Singh to be dragged into the probe. Later Dibrugarh District administration temporarily closed the BN Singh petrol pump until further notice.