Congress worker’s death during protest sparks political row in Assam
Guwahati: The death of Mridul Islam, a 45-year-old Congress worker and advocate, during the party’s ‘Chalo Raj Bhavan’ protest in Guwahati on Wednesday has triggered a political storm in Assam. The Congress accused the Himanta Sarma-led state government of attempting to intimidate protesters through excessive force.
Islam, a district-level office bearer in the Congress’s legal cell, reportedly complained of breathing difficulties after police used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. He was rushed to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) but was declared dead on arrival.
The protest, part of a nationwide Congress campaign against the BJP-led central government on issues such as the Gautam Adani controversy and the Manipur crisis, saw over 1,000 participants marching from Latasil towards Raj Bhavan. The situation escalated when the police, citing a lack of permission for the march, used three tear gas shells to halt the demonstrators, who had breached two layers of barricades.
Guwahati Police Commissioner Diganta Barah stated that a post-mortem is underway to determine the cause of death. He claimed no lathi charge or other forms of force were used and that the tear gas shells were rolled on the ground to release smoke. However, Congress leaders allege that the tear gas was deployed excessively and directly under protestors' faces.
Congress worker Supriya Ahmed, who was present at the protest, recounted that Islam felt unwell after inhaling smoke from the tear gas. He was first taken to a private hospital and then referred to GMCH. The Congress has filed a complaint at the Latasil police station, demanding strict action against the police for what it described as “unlawful use of force.”
Assam Congress president Bhupen Borah described Islam as the “first martyr” in their fight against BJP governance in the state and called for a high-level inquiry into the incident. He also rejected the police’s claim that the march lacked permission, presenting a letter allegedly submitted to the Police Commissionerate a day prior to the protest.
The incident also drew condemnation from the Gauhati Press Club after several journalists covering the protest were affected by the tear gas.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Day after protest over drop in prices, onion auctions start at Lasalgaon APMC
Nashik (PTI): Onion auctions at Lasalgaon APMC in Maharashtra's Nashik began on Tuesday, a day after farmers halted the process for sometime and staged a protest by climbing atop a water tank against the drop in prices of the key kitchen staple.
The protesters on Monday demanded that the 20 percent export duty on onions be removed, claiming it as the reason for the drop in prices at the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Lasalgaon, which is Asia's biggest wholesale onion market.
As many as 15 farmers climbed atop a water tank to protest the drop in prices of onion and also stalled its auctions for sometime on Monday.
"There is a drop of Rs 300-500 in the average prices of both red and summer crop of onions. The 20 percent export duty on onions must be removed," one of the protesters said.
A source at the APMC said 11,500 quintals of onions were brought to the market for auction on Monday.
The prices were Rs 1,000 per quintal minimum, Rs 2,201 per quintal maximum and Rs 1,800 per quintal average for the summer crop of onions.
On the other hand, prices for red onions were Rs 800 per quintal minimum, Rs 2,005 per quintal maximum and Rs 1,700 per quintal average.
"These prices were Rs 2,250-2300 just five days ago. As a result, the farmers protested," the source said.
The farmers later called off the protest after state Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate assured them that Yeola (in Nashik district) MLA Chhagan Bhujbal will raise the issue in the ongoing budget session of the legislature.
Police also arrived at the spot to pacify the protesters and maintain law and order.
On Tuesday, regular auctions were underway at the APMC.
Nearly 13,000 quintals of onions were brought in 500 vehicles at the APMC in the morning.
As the auction of the summer crop of onions began, the prices were Rs 600 per quintal minimum, Rs 1,951 per quintal maximum and Rs 1,600 per quintal average. The auction of red onions was yet to begin, the source said.
