People's Democracy

ONCLUDING its meeting on December 15, the Assam state committee of the CPI(M) has decided to hold a state level rally on January 28, 2001 at Guwahati, with which will culminate its campaign against terrorism and the anti-people economic policies of the BJP-led central government.

The Assam state committee of the CPI(M) condemned in strongest terms the recent senseless and gruesome killings of innocent people en masse, of those belonging particularly to the Hindi-speaking community. With the assembly elections in the state drawing nearer, these mass killings, reportedly committed by armed extremists, have engulfed the entire state in uncertainty, fear, insecurity and mistrust among various communities, particularly the Hindi-speaking people. A serious threat has been created to their right to life and property. Many of them have already left Assam, which will certainly have a big impact on the people outside. Unity and amity of different communities living in Assam have been seriously threatened and endangered as the communal and divisive forces are out to fish in the troubled water.

The CPI(M) also expressed its serious concern and registered its condemnation of the killings of close relatives --- parents, brothers and sisters --- of the ULFA activists by so-called secret killers. Such counter-killings, far from abating terrorism, will only encourage and embolden it. Moreover, such secret killings, if not resisted and stopped in time, will pose an equally serious threat to democracy and the democratic forces functioning in the state.

The CPI(M) has since long been urging upon all the major political parties of Assam to stop mud-slinging and join hands to unitedly fight against terrorism which is nothing less than a national calamity. On the insistence of the CPI(M), an all-party meeting was held by the government; this was certainly a welcome move. The CPI(M) feels that the all-party unity needs to be strengthened and transformed into a meaningful and working unity at all levels. The CPI(M) has stated its firm belief that peace, unity and integrity of Assam and amity among different communities can never be restored unless the major political parties join hands in a common struggle against terrorism and other divisive tendencies.

The CPI(M) is deeply disturbed over the way the governor of Assam is misusing his high position. The recent statement of the governor that the ULFA is attempting, by these massacres, to replace the Hindi-speaking labouring classes by the Bangladeshi Muslims, is unwanted and provocative. This statement has given a handle to the communal forces. Added to that statement, he also publicly called upon the Hindi-speaking people to fight the terrorists with lathis and stones, thus inciting the common people for violence. These statements have not only invoked a sharp controversy, but have also encouraged the communal and divisive forces to further complicate and compound the already tense situation in the state. In fact, the over-smarting governor has outstepped his constitutional limit and encroached upon the constitutional authority and dignity of an elected state government. The CPI(M) registered its strong condemnation of the governor's action and asked the government of India to remove him from this position of dignity.

The CPI(M) also expressed surprised over the state government’s silence at the governor's encroachment over the state government's jurisdiction. The party is of the opinion that the state government is duty-bound to protest against the governor's wanton way of functioning and protect its own constitutional authority and dignity.

The Assam state committee of the CPI(M) was seriously concerned over the apathy and callousness of the state government towards the striking and starving employees of the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC). Even when the condition of some of the hunger strikers had worsened, surprisingly the government, which was responsible for the ASTC’s present condition, was sitting tight and displaying apathy towards the genuine demands of the ASTC employees. The CPI(M) demanded that the state government should immediately start negotiations with the ASTC employees and meet their most urgent demands like payment of wages.

The CPI(M)’s Assam state committee has decided to launch a statewide campaign against terroristic killings and for peace and also on certain burning economic issues of the people. The campaign will include continuous meetings at all levels throughout the state in the months of December and January, to culminate in a state level rally that will be held on January 28, 2001 at the Judges Field, Guwahati. (INN)