Dhubri (Assam), 10 August (HS): More than 100 protesters were detained during a ‘Jail Bharo’ demonstration organised by several Left-affiliated organisations in Assam’s Dhubri district on Monday.

Members of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and Students’ Federation of India (SFI) participated in the protest, accusing the BJP-led Central government of pursuing “anti-worker and anti-farmer” policies.

The protest was part of a nationwide programme launched by Left organisations to mobilise public opinion against government policies that they alleged were adversely affecting workers, farmers, agricultural labourers and other sections of society. Similar protests were also held at Tezpur, the headquarters of Sonitpur district.

The organisations said the programme was inspired by the spirit of the 1942 Quit India Movement and called for intensified efforts to protect the country’s resources and the rights of working people from what they described as “corporate-driven policies.”

In a joint statement, the groups alleged that workers’ rights and welfare measures, including pension, medical benefits and wage-related provisions, were being curtailed. They also claimed that the closure of small and medium industries had resulted in job losses, while contractual employment and outsourcing were increasingly replacing permanent jobs.

On agriculture, the organisations alleged that farmers were being displaced from their land and that land was being handed over to large corporate houses at low prices. They also criticised what they described as inadequate government support for landless farming families and agricultural labourers.

The groups opposed eviction drives in various parts of Assam, including areas from Parbatjhora to Kaziranga, alleging that such operations were adversely affecting farmers and ordinary residents. They also protested the alleged displacement of members of the Tiwa community in the name of developing satellite townships.

More than 100 protesters took out a rally from the Dhubri railway station premises. The procession passed through Station Road before police detained the protesters and took them to Dhubri Police Station.

The organisers appealed to workers, farmers, agricultural labourers and other sections of society to join their movement against what they described as exploitation, displacement and restrictions on democratic rights.----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash