AAGSU torch rally in memorium of Bhimajuli massacre

 Nanda Kirati Dewan, Guwahati

14^th Oct. Guwahati: The All Assam Gorkha Students’ Union (AAGSU) the apex students’ body of Gorkhas of Assam last evening took out a mass candle light torch rally today in memory of the Bhimajuli killings and prayers for speed recovery of those injured in the violence through out Assam. In the capital city Guwahati the Kamrup Dist. Committee along with the office bearers of AAGSU central committee took to street with candle in hands at 6pm from the historic Nepali Mandir premises. Flagging off the rally by lighting a earthen lamp and offering prayers to all the deceased and injured Dil Bahadur Limboo President; AAGSU condemned the most inhuman act of violence in Bhimajuli that claimed as many as 14 lives that left some hundred in feared state of mind when National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) militants indiscriminately fired on houses of the people on 4^th Oct 2009 Sunday. Unfortunately 8 out of 14 killed were Gorkhas so the AAGSU is organizing a SAMUHIK ARYA SHRADHA on 25^th October 2009 for all 14 killed at Bhimajuli Sonitpur. Condoling the death of Bhimajuli massacre and after offering prayers for quick and complete recovery of those injured in the incident the rally started off silently through Md. Shah Road Paltan Bazar to ASTC circle back to Nepali Mandir. The ruling Congress MLA for Pub Guwahati constituency Captain Robin Bordoloi also joined the rally. Members of Volunteer Cell of AAGSU maintained traffic and discipline through out the peace rally. More than 550 students, elders, man, women and children walked through the streets with candle in hands even surrounding traders, shopkeepers, vegetable & milk vendors also joined the rally. The Nagarik Unnayan Samitee under Platan Bazar police station also had joined the rally. All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and other students’ organizations of Assam also extended support.

No media bytes were made through out the rally as it was silent peace rally. Dil Bahadur Limboo President; All Assam Gorkha Students’ Union (AAGSU) talking to media persons lambasted the state govt. and police administration for failing to provide security to the people of the region despite having enough inputs of possibility of such incident. Limboo also stretched on to bring into the NDFB leadership and militants involved in heinous man hunting crime to terrorize and earn ransoms. “AAGSU squarely blames the Central and State Govt. for the Bhimajuli massacre as the Assam Arunachal border has always been prone to security lapses and incident like this was an obvious reflection” said the AAGSU President. Thereafter Kamrup Dist AAGSU Chief Advisor Pitamber Joshi handed over the memorandum to Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Mrinal Gogoi who had came at 6.45pm to receive it on behalf of administration. The memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister of Assam demands adequate security in the region and across the bordering districts, early release of compensation, bear educational cost of Namita Pradhan (11 months) and Suruj Upadhyay (12 years) who lost their parents in the incident, setting up of martyr tomb in Bhimajuli market place and setting up of permanent army and CRPF camp in the region. Addressing the crowd Joshi thanked the all who joined the rally and showing solidarity towards humanity and added that Gorkhas would not at all tolerate any kind of terrorism. We Gorkhas stand with the nation against all antinational elements and activities echoed AAGSU members while concluding the rally. AAGSU is also organizing a statewide protest rally on 14^th Oct 2009 as informed by Birendra Subba, vice president;AAGSU. At the time of filing this report the demonstration protest rally was at its peak in all the district headquarters through out Assam.

Here are the glimpses from the lens of the rally….