Kisan Mukti Yatra Reaches Assam, Asks Masses to Come Together for Kisan Mukti Sansad

The North-eastern leg of Kisan Mukti Yatra conducted a mass gathering at Dighalipukhuri in Guwahati, Assam, on Sunday in the presence of hundreds of farmers and agricultural workers along with others. Mobilizing the peasantry in the northeastern states, the Yatra led by All India Kisan Sangarsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) campaigned for the rights and demands of the farmers and agricultural workers.

The mass gathering headed by All India Kisan Sabha General Secretary Hannan Mollah along with Dr Sunilam of National Alliance for People’s Movement and Raju Shetty of Swabhimani Shetkari Sangathan Maharashtra appealed the masses to turn out in large numbers for the “Kisan Mukti Sansad”. The Sansad, a farmers’ freedom parliament, is scheduled to be held in Delhi on November 20.

In the Kisan Mukti Sansad, the farmers will put forward the draft of the bill encompassing the demands. It will be debated and passed by the farmers’ parliament. The AIKSCC will invite leaders of political parties and the Prime Minister to come to the Sansad, but only if they are ready to support the Bill and the demands, said the AIKSCC statement which was released earlier.

Addressing the masses in Guwahati, Dr Sunilam said "In paddy alone, Rs. 5400 Crore is looted from farmers by buying very small quantity under Minimum Support Price (MSP) and the balance 70% market surplus paddy is sold at just 60% of MSP”. In last 10 years 4,700 farmers have committed suicide in Assam, he added.

While talking about the movements led by AIKSCC, Raju Shetty said: “ It is for the first time, after Independence, that 184 farmers’ organisations with Red and Green flags have come together”.

AIKSCC, a nationwide coalition of more than 180 peasant organisations, focuses on the issues of farmers and agricultural workers and works to create a dignified and sustainable livelihood for them.

The North-eastern leg of Yatra which was followed by a series of Yatras witnessed the presence of farmers’ representatives from the north-eastern states including Assam, Manipur, Tripura along with other states.

The Yatra, so far, covered 10,000 kms in 18 states as five legs. 500 public meetings were held during the Yatras and interacted with more than 50 lakh farmers from various farming sectors in different regions of the country.

During the mass gathering, AIKSCC has launched a campaign too which demands the release of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) leader Akhil Gogoi from jail.

“Akhil is politically victimised as he raised voice against APSC scam, Drinking water scam, Big Dams and asked Govt to publicise agreement regarding land transfer with Nagaland terrorists," Dr Sunilam said.