Guwahati: More than 20,000 workers, farmers and agricultural labourers from across Assam gathered on the banks of the Brahmaputra here on Sunday in what organisers described as an unprecedented mass rally against the policies of the Central and State governments.

The rally was organised by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), the All India Kisan Sabha and the Agricultural Workers’ Union to protest what they termed anti-worker and anti-farmer measures, particularly the recent amendments to labour laws and the implementation of labour codes.

Protesters also demanded legislation to ensure remunerative prices for agricultural produce and called for an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of singer Zubeen Garg, along with raising several other issues.

More than 500 participants from Cachar, Hailakandi and Sribhumi districts joined the mobilisation.

Addressing the gathering, speakers sharply criticised the Assam government, accusing it of pursuing policies detrimental to the interests of common people and of fostering communal divisions. They urged people to unite and use all their strength to remove the present government in the forthcoming elections.

Those who addressed the rally included CITU leader Tapan Sharma, All India Kisan Sabha leader Tiken Das, Left MLA Manoranjan Talukdar, Left leader Suprakash Talukdar and tea workers’ leader Dinesh Nayak, among others.

Promotional | North East Integration Rally