AASU launches 30-hr hunger strike

Guwahati, May 17 (UNI) The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) today launched a 30-hour hunger strike to protest the alleged failure of the state government to solve the problems facing the education sector.

Talking to reporters here, AASU advisor Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya said, ''The Education department has failed in solving the issues concerning it. The 'Safai Abhiyan' started by the Education Minister has fallen flat on its face.'' He alleged that the Education department had failed to properly implement the new academic calendar, prepared by the AASU, from January one in spite of assurances.

Dr Bhattacharya pointed out that the Gauhati and Dibrugarh Universities were granted Rs five crore each for infrastructure development, though the AASU had demanded Rs ten crore each for the varsities and the Assam Agriculture University.

He pointed out that the government colleges in the hilly districts of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills lacked even the basic infrastructure, and very few initiatives were being taken to better the facilities available in the vocational training institutes in the state.

The AASU leader also alleged that government was not doing enough to check the mushrooming of English medium schools and the Asomese or vernacular medium schools were reeling under various problems.

He said, '' The list of problems the education sector is facing in the state would be endless. But the department seems to be least bothered. '' '' It is to mount pressure on the government to take concrete steps to solve these problems that the AASU has launched the 30-hour hunger strike across the state,'' Mr Bhattacharya added.

UNI