Dibrugarh: Members of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) Dibrugarh unit on Thursday staged a symbolic funeral procession of Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Minister Kaushik Rai, protesting against the steep rise in prices of essential commodities.
The protest was aimed at addressing what the students’ body described as the government’s failure to control the rising cost of living and protect consumers.
Carrying a symbolic body of the minister, the protesters marched from the AASU Dibrugarh office to Chowkidingee Chariali. They later burnt a symbolic effigy of Rai amid slogans against the government.
The protest was led by AASU Dibrugarh unit president Priyo Pratim Sonowal and secretary Rishav Phukan.
AASU leaders alleged that prices of fuel, LPG, vegetables, sugar, potato, onion and medicines had increased significantly, putting additional pressure on household budgets. They stated that during elections, prices somehow remain under control, but immediately after elections, people are forced to face price hikes.
AASU alleged that the Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Department had failed to effectively monitor the market and prevent unreasonable price increases.
AASU demanded stronger market surveillance, regular inspections and strict action against hoarding, profiteering and artificial price increases.
The organisation warned that the agitation would be intensified if the government failed to take immediate measures to stabilise prices and provide relief to consumers.