Cachar District Committee demonstrates protest against soaring commodities prices and electricity bills in Silchar, urges swift government action

Reported by: Ajit Das

Silchar: 07/09/23: At the base of Bhasha Shaheed Vedi in Rangirkhari, Silchar, a demonstration took place today at approximately 12:30 noon.

The protest, organized by the Cachar District Committee in response to the call by the Assam State Committee of the SUCI (Communist) Party, aimed to address the skyrocketing prices of daily essentials and the increased electricity tariffs.

With over fifty supporters in attendance, the district secretary of the party, Bhavatosh Chakraborty, and senior committee member Shyam Deo Kurmi addressed the gathering.

Speakers at the demonstration voiced their concerns over the inability of the BJP-led state government to control essential commodity prices.

The prevalence of the Syndicate Raj has left common farmers struggling to receive fair prices for their produce, while ordinary citizens are burdened with exorbitant costs for basic necessities.

The cost of fish, meat, and even vegetables has reached unsustainable levels.

Criticism was also directed at the Assam government's efforts to combat the Syndicate Raj, with attendees highlighting the ineffectiveness of costly newspaper advertisements in controlling commodity prices.

The party has long advocated for state intervention in retail businesses to curb price inflation, but both the central and state governments have failed to act, allegedly due to vested interests.

Furthermore, the state chief minister's visit to Silchar was noted, during which he inaugurated existing projects and laid the foundation for new buildings.

However, the absence of initiatives to establish industrial factories, including the reopening of the Cachar Paper Mill, was decried.

These facilities could provide employment opportunities for the region's unemployed youth and contribute to the livelihoods of ordinary citizens.

The ongoing electricity shortages in Cachar district, which have left residents without power during sweltering heat, were also addressed.

Attendees criticized the government's focus on political gains in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections while neglecting crucial issues affecting the people.

The SUCI (Communist) Party's demands included bringing daily necessities within reach of the public, rolling back increased electricity tariffs, ensuring a consistent power supply, expediting the repair of damaged roads in the district, and initiating new industries, such as paper mills, to create employment opportunities.

The protest drew support from a diverse range of party members and local residents, including Professor Ajay Roy, Subrata Chandra Nath, Lakshicharan Akura, Dulali Ganguly, Bijit Kumar Singh, Paritosh Bhattacharya, Champalal Das, and Dilip Nath.

As concerns over rising prices and electricity tariffs continue to grow, the demonstrators expressed their hope for meaningful government action to alleviate these challenges.