AGP holds rally to protest Nov 24 incident

New Delhi, Dec 5 (UNI) Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), the main opposition in Assam held a massive rally here today to protest the atrocities committed against the innocent tribal people at Beltola, Guwahati on November 24, where a girl was stripped in public.

Speaking at the rally here, AGP president Brindaban Goswami said, ''We are protesting here for the state government as well as the Centre's apathy of not granting Schedule Tribe status to the tea tribes and six other tribal communities of the state.'' ''The AGP condemns the violent incident of November 24, 2007, which occurred due to total negligence and failure of the state government to respond to the agitation, led by the All Assam Adivasi Students Association (AAASA),'' he said.

Mr Goswami added that the AGP was seeking the attention of the central government regarding the demand of six communities namely Moran, Motok, Konch Rajbongshi, Chutia and Tai Ahom, alongwith that of Tea Adivasi community, for inclusion in the ST list.

He said all the six ethnic communities of the state should immediately be granted ST status as recommended by State Assembly and Joint Select Committee of Parliament without jeopardising the existing reservation granted to other ethnic tribes of Assam.

The party also demanded the immediate dismissal of Tarun Gogoi's government owing to the total failure of law and order in the state.

He said the AGP along with other Opposition in the State Assembly, was demanding for a judicial enquiry to probe the Beltola incident in addition to a CBI enquiry.

Adequate compensation to the tune of Rs five lakhs per family should be provided to those killed in the incident and free treatment with compensation to the injured be ensured by the state government. Similar, facilities should be extended to the family of those killed and injured in subsequent violence in various districts of the state.

Mr Goswami said immediate steps should be taken to trace the missing people since many were reported to be missing till date. The goveremnt should clarify the controversy about the total number of deaths in that incident immediately.

All the 21 AGP MLAs and two Lok Sabha MP's, along with party General Secretary and former Union Minister Birendra Baishya, participated in the rally.

UNI