On 21 January, 2010 a massive protest rally was taken out in Guwahati under the banner of Sadou Asom Gramin Sramik Santha (Assam unit of AIALA) along with the Kisan Sramik Sabha of Karbi Anglong & N C Hills against the massive price rise and anti-people policies of the state government. Around 5000 protesters marched to Rajbhawan and a 11-point memorandum, along with 25,000 signatures, was handed over demanding immediate solution of these problems. The two organizations demanded a special Assam Assembly session to discuss these burning issues of the rural poor of the state.

Prior to this rally, a month long mass signature campaign on these 11 demands was conducted all over the state. During this period, mass meetings were held in different places. Along with the signature collection, a membership drive of AIALA was also conducted. Different block and panchayat committees were formed.

The memorandum demanded

i) Special Assam Assembly Session to discuss works of Rural Development department,

ii) hold prices and provide ration card for 25 essential commodities,

iii) provide all rural families with job cards, 100 days work, Rs. 200 as minimum wage, or otherwise provide unemployment allowance,

iv) provide all poor families with BPL cards, IAY house and sanitary latrine,
v) special reservation for tea tribes in panchayat schemes,

vi) settle landless tea workers in ceiling surplus land and build IAY house for them,

vii) ensure land rights for forest dwellers and provide them patta,

viii) immediately scrap anti-people land policy imposed by Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council,

ix) form an autonomous state combining Karbi Anglong and N C Hill by implementing Article 244(A) of the Indian Constitution and adopt a resolution in Assam Assembly,

x) immediately withdraw the proposal of separating Assam Asset from Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC),

xi) stop Sixth Edition of Kaziranga national park project and safegurd the life and livelihood of people living in the riverine stretch.

Protesters warned the government that if proper action is not taken, a fresh movement will be launched next month. A brief meeting was held near Rajbhawan and it was addressed by Com. Arup Kr. Mahanta, Com Rubul Sarma, Bibek Das, Robi Kr. Phangcho, Subhas Sen and Pankaj Kr. Das.

- Naren Borah, Guwahati