AASU asks Sabha to speak on burning issues

DIBRUGARH, January 22: The Dibrugarh distirct unit of AASU, in consultation with its parent body, today submitted a memorandum before the Asam Sahitya Sabha seeking clarifications on the latter's stand vis-a-vis the current situation in Assam. The students are sore that the Sabha is yet to voice its concern on several burning issues confronting the State today. Addressing a news conference here today, local AASU leaders have threatened to dissociate themselves from the ensuing 66th session of the Assam Sahitya Sabha to be held here from February 7. They also lambasted the literary organisation for "cozying itself too close to ruling politicians". The students are of the version that the ensuing of the Sabha can be path breaking event only if the Sabha sits up to take notice and start commenting on issues of relevance. For this, the students have identified the following issues : The problem of illegal foreigners, Constitutional safeguards to the ethnic people of Assam, conservation and propagation of ethnic languages and cultures, academic curricula in educational institutions and matters relating to infrastructural development like the gas cracker project, Bogibeel bridge etc. Moreover, the students also want the literary organisation to start speaking out on the problem of floods, erosion by rivers, etc. According to AASU's information secretary Bikul Chandra Deka, "the Sahitya Sabha cannot afford to remain aloof from the issues that stare at the face of the common man. We in AASU want that every section of society, especially our intellectuals, to at least voice concern on matters which are threatening the very survival of the Assamese society, he added." He further said that till now, the Sahitya Sabha is yet to speak out its mind on the menace of secret killers, mass killings and the overall state of affairs. If the Sahitya Sabha fails to respond to the AASU memorandum on or before February 1, the students are firm on dissociating themselves from the 66th session of the Sabha. In that case, the students would go ahead with setting up their own hospitality booths throughout the city, to receive visitors to the session and offer them assistance. "We are not boycotting the session, we will just function independently," Deka said. Meanwhile, Tankeswar Borah, president of the reception committee of the Sabha's 66th session, told The Assam Tribune that the issues raised by the students "are very relevant, but these can be addressed only by the central executive committee of the Sabha, and I am sure the Sabha will act on the points raised by our students." He issued an appeal to all sections of society to extend their full cooperation to make the ensuing Dibrugarh session a memorable and result-oriented event.