File photo of torchlight protest by AASU in Guwahati

All Assam Students Union (AASU) and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) – the two influential students’ bodies in Assam – have come up with an advisory committee comprising some of prominent personalities of the state to prepare future roadmap for a powerful regional force.

Addressing a joint press conference in Guwahati on August 19, the office bearers of the students’ bodies said that over the years, the people of the state have been facing betrayal and oppression from both the Centre and state governments.

Personalities like acclaimed filmmaker Jahnu Barua, former president of Asam Sahitya Sabha Nagen Saikia, prominent author Padma Shri Arup Kumar Dutta and former Meghalaya governor Ranjit Shekhar Mushahary, among others, have been included in the advisory committee.

“We couldn’t conduct the convention due to the ongoing crisis of COVID-19, lockdown and related issues. But we need to move ahead. So, we have decided to seek the suggestions to set the roadmap,” AASU chief advisor Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya said.

Bhattacharya said that during the anti-CAA movement in the state, the people in general have been advising the students’ bodies to think towards a new regional force. “So, we can’t disrespect what the people have suggested to us. That’s the reason why we have decided to take vital inputs on how to move ahead,” he added.

Hinting at the “spineless” regional forces in the state, AASU president Dipanka Kumar Nath said that Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has already lost its meaning of regionalism when they decided to go with BJP in 2016.

Now, both the students’ bodies will decide their future work plan as per the advice of the 16-member advisory committee. If needed, they are also open to include more personalities in the committee.

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