NEWS - Torch-light procession enkin

[TheTruth@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: NEWS - Torch-light procession enkindles burning desire for peace in Assam

Headlines       Vol. 2 Issue 25-26         Nov. 7- Nov. 21 , 1999

NENA / Oriental Times

Torch-light procession enkindles burning desire for peace in Assam

After about two decades, yet another torch-light procession lit up the
Guwahati roads. But this time for a different cause ?? restoration of
peace
in the State. The procession was the culmination of a two-month-long
process of the Asom Satra Mahasabha to stir up the people with the
yearning for bringing back peace in this strife-torn State.

The most significant thing about procession was the participation of
four members of the ULFA C-in-C Paresh Baruah and ULFA general secretary
Golap Barua?s (Anup Chetia) family. Besides altogether 45 persons from
their native village Jerai have come as members of one of the Satra
Mahasabha peace processions which started on October 29 last. 

The procession started at about 5 pm from the Judges? Field after a
two-hour-long peace rally, comprised several thousand people. Women
constituted a sizeable number of the participants. Slogans like ? ?We
want peace?, ?Save Assam from devastation? and ?Do not pollute this land
of
Sankar-Madhav and Ajan Fakir with the fumes of gunpowder?, among others,
the processionists paraded through the main city streets via Uzan
Bazar, Guwahati Club, Chandmari Flyover, Rajgarh, Bhangagarh, Ulubari,
Ambari, VIP Road and MG Road to offer earthen lamps to the
Brahmaputra at Kacharighat. 

Addressing the peace rally at the Judges? Field, Asom Satra Mahasabha
president and Satradhikar of Mayamora Dinjoy Satra Sri Jogadananda
Deva Goswami lamented over the fact that sounds of gunshots have shouted
down the Vaishnavite hymns in the State. If this violent atmosphere
was not done away with in an expeditious manner, the Assamese
nationality would be wiped out, he warned. The people of Assam were now
tired
of this situation and restoration of peace in the State is the only
longing of the people today, he observed. 

Resenting the attitude of the militants towards the repeated appeal made
by several organisations and individuals to them for shunning violence,
Mr. Goswami said that the militant organisations were meting out a
treatment of hostages to the people of the State. They were also
ridiculing the
sacrifices made by the martyrs like Maniram Dewan, Piyali Phukan, Kushal
Konwar and Kanaklata Barua during the freedom struggle of the
country, he alleged. 

Moreover, the militants were also acting like the stooges of the enemy
countries and were involved in the conspiracies to wipe out the
nationality,
he said, criticising the role of a section of intellectuals and
politicians who are instigating the militants on narrow considerations. 

Former DPI Prof Ashraf Ali exuded the confidence that the good sense
would soon prevail over the evil forces and would thus come out
successful
in restoring peace in the State. He also called upon the womenfolk to
take the lead in spreading the message of peace and brotherhood over the
State. 

Noted litterateur and former MP Dr. Biswanarayan Shastri said that the
united efforts of the people was the only way out to defeat the
perpetrators
of violence. 

Padmabhushan Puspalata Das, in her address, said that mothers by
exerting the power of love and affection, could bring back the misguided
youths, who have become the worshippers of violence, to the mainfold. 

Asam Satra Mahasabha general secretary Lakshmikanta Mahanta informed
that the campaign of the Satra Mahasabha for the restoration of
peace in the State would continue for one year. The district units of
the Mahasabha would take the campaign to each and every corner of the
State, he said. The rally was also addressed, among others, by Amrik
Singh, founder president of the All Assam Sikh Youth Association, Gopal
Chandra Deva Goswami, Satradhikar, Kuruabahi Satra and Ram Niranjan
Goenka, president, Greater Fancy Bazar Sahitya Sabha. The rally
adopted a resolution authorising the Asom Satra Mahasabha to raise a
permanent Shanti Seva Dal.