SUCI (C) protests in Silchar, calls for development of SMCH, revival of mill

The Cachar district committee of the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist), on Friday, took out a rally in Silchar seeking fulfillment of various demands including initiation of neurology, nephrology and urology departments at Silchar Medical College and Hospital along with the hospital’s overall development, revival of the Cachar Paper Mill, completion of the East-West corridor project and control in prices of commodities among others.

The rally, which started around 12:30 pm this afternoon from ASTC bus stand near Link Road, visited different localities like Rangirkhari, Hospital Road, Ambikapatty, Premtala, Shillongpatty and Park Road and finally reached in front of Cachar deputy commissioner’s office. SUCI (C) members in huge numbers along with general citizens took part in the rally.

The SUCI (C) members including secretary Bhabatosh Chakraborty, former secretary Shyamdeo Kurmi, N.R. Paul, Madhab Ghosh, Dulali Ganguly and Joy Singh among others raised slogans in unison and spoke before the public demanding fulfillment of their demands. The speakers said political parties like the Congress and BJP serve a platter of promises before the common masses before elections but forget everything once the elections get over.

They said it was only because of the negligence of the political parties that the Silchar Medical College and Hospital, which was established more than fifty years ago and is the only major healthcare hub in Barak Valley, does not have departments like neurology, nephrology and urology till date. As a result, patients have to go to Shillong or Guwahati for treatment, they said.

Speaking about the Cachar Paper Mill, the speakers said the mill, which is the sole industry in this valley, has been lying defunct for years, but the government did not take necessary steps to revive it for which lakhs of people are suffering. Apart from that, the government had promised to keep a check on the hike in prices of commodities, but the scenario has totally been opposite in reality, they rued.

Later, a memorandum was submitted by the members to Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal (through the Cachar district administration) in connection with their demands. The members threatened of intensifying protests if their demands are not fulfilled soon. The demonstration concluded around 2pm.