Hundreds protest against visit of Bush, burn effigies in Tripura

Agartala, Mar 2 (UNI) Hundreds of people today took out processions through the main thoroughfares here and elsewhere in Tripura in protest against the visit of US President George Bush and burnt his effigies.

Carrying placards and banners, the slogan-shouting activists termed President Bush a ''criminal and leader of the aggressors of the world'' and condemned the Indian government for inviting the US President and accusing it of ''acting as local subedars of America representing imperialism and military unilateralism world over''.

Organised under the banner of National Platform of Mass Based Organisations, the processionists voiced their anger against what they call was America's military aggression, especially its invasion of Iraq, and its hegemonic policies -- foreign and economic.

Later addressing a rally here, the Left leaders questioned the government's rationale in inviting the US President to India, calling him an ''unwanted guest.'' Some of the educational institutions also remained closed during the day in response to a strike call given by the student wing of the Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) to protest the visit of the American President.

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