The All Assam Students Union (AASU) on May 22 intensified its statewide agitation against the rising prices of essential commodities, fuel and life-saving medicines by organising protest rallies across several districts of Assam, including Nagaon, Tinsukia and Tamulpur.

Condemning the alleged failure of the government to control inflation, AASU termed the continuous price rise “anti-people” and “arbitrary,” stating that soaring costs of food items, petroleum products and medicines have severely affected the common people, especially daily wage earners and economically weaker sections.

In Nagaon, the protest rally was organised by the district unit of AASU following the organisation’s statewide call. Several student leaders, including AASU sports secretary Mriganka Shekhar Bharali Hazarika and district president Simanta Barua, participated in the demonstration and demanded immediate rollback of the price hikes.

Meanwhile, in Tinsukia, hundreds of AASU activists marched from the organisation’s office at College Road to Thana Chariali, raising slogans against the increase in prices of fuel, food items and medicines. Protesters warned that stronger agitation programmes would be launched if the government failed to take corrective measures.

Joining the statewide protests, AASU members also staged a rally in Tamulpur town of Tamulpur district against the rising prices of petrol, diesel, life-saving medicines and essential commodities.

The protest programme was organised by the Chirang District Students’ Union under the leadership of the Tamulpur Regional Students’ Union. The rally began from the Tamulpur Regional Students’ Union office and passed through different parts of the town.

Demonstrators raised slogans demanding urgent steps to control inflation and accused the BJP-led government of failing to address the rising cost of living faced by ordinary citizens.

Speaking to the media, AASU central secretary Dulujit Das said the continuous rise in prices of fuel, medicines and daily necessities has created immense hardship for people across the state and urged the government to provide immediate relief to the public.