HT Correspondent
JORHAT, May 20: Assam unit of CPI (M) has sought a high-level judicial inquiry into the mysterious death case of police sub-inspector Junmoni Rabha.
Addressing newspersons at the CPI (M) district office here on Saturday, the state unit secretary Suprakash Talukdar said that the party demands that the government institute a high-level judicial probe by a sitting or a retired judge of the Gauhati High Court for a free and fair probe into the death case shrouded in mystery.
Referring to chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s recent statement that the Government was ready to request CBI to take over the case for investigation, Talukdar said that the party (CPI-M) felt that at present CBI was being used as a “political tool” by the BJP-led government at the Centre against the Opposition parties, and hence an impartial inquiry could not be expected from the federal probe agency.
The CPI (M) leader took on the State government over the Junmoni Rabha case by observing that this (Junmoni’s death) incident has brought to the fore the way illegal fake gold trade was flourishing and the alleged nexus between a section of police and those involved in the said illegal business.
Talukdar lambasted the Government for trying to “establish a police raj” in Assam by stifling the voices of the people and Opposition political parties and organisations that criticised the Government policies that were affecting people severely on many fronts.
He alleged that the processions, demonstrations against public interest issues by Opposition parties and other bodies seems to be practically banned by the Government since past two years, especially in Guwahati as the administration does not allow these and picks up protesters.
The CPI (M) also expressed concern about the spate of encounters taking place in police custody resulting in many deaths in the past two years. He further targeted the state government on multiple fronts alleging failure to deliver the pre-poll promises and also on other fronts.
Talukdar stated that the government was heavily burdened with loans with the amount reaching one lakh thirty one thousand crores as Government was on a loan-taking spree and was spending on by rolling out schemes to create beneficiaries and organise big events for launching such initiatives.
He alleged that the unemployment figure was at an all-time high in Assam with 22 lakhs unemployed in the state as per government survey as disclosed in state assembly.
The secretary said that the government had assured to provide one lakh employment to youths within March 2022, but so far only 41000 have been appointed. Talukdar stated that though the chief minister some time ago had announced a decision to recruit 51000 persons, but recently he (CM) said that 45000 will be recruited.
Pointing out that the existing recruitment process needed to be reformed, Talukdar said that candidates who were selected through the recruitment examinations, secured multiple posts – a single candidate getting appointed for several jobs.
Referring to recent reports of candidates from outside Assam selected for teachers’ jobs, the secretary demanded that the government should not deprive the youths of Assam from jobs and hence should not recruit from outside the state.
He further sought that the state government should undertake a land survey across the state in view of same not done since 1965 as reportedly mentioned and suggested in the HS Brahma Committee report. He sought the government allot pattas to people settling in government land for long period of time.
Further, Talukdar lambasting the government for failing to check steep increase in prices of essential commodities, LPG cylinders, power tariffs, demanded that the APDCL offer post-paid option along with the present pre-paid provision to the consumers..
The CPI (M) leader demanded that the government clear the outstanding monthly remuneration to mid-day meal workers who have been making several pleas in this regard and also staged protests in recent times.
He also demanded that government should take steps for full implementation of daily wages of tea garden workers as recommended by the Government-appointed committee.
Welcoming the announcement of 11 Opposition political parties deciding to organise a convention in Guwahati next month to discuss about 2024 parliamentary elections, Talukdar said that CPI (M) from this month has undertaken a ‘Janasamparka’ (Mass contact) programme to reach out to the people to tell about the failures of the BJP-led Governments at the Centre and Assam.
He said that by June end the party has a target to reach out to 10 lakh people. Along with Talukdar Jorhat district unit Secretary CPI (M) and secretariat member of Jorhat district Rajen Mahanta were also present on the ocassion.
