GUWAHATI (PTI): Several all Assam students Union (AASU) Leaders on a fast-unto-death agitation which entered its fifth day on April 29 were arrested here even as their condition deteriorated further. The students were protesting against alleged army atrocities. Meanwhile leaders of 18 political parties including the BJP the Janata Dal and the AGP have called for “Assam Bandh” on May 26 to protest on the same issue. The decision was taken at a Joint meeting here on April 28 The leaders have also decided to stage a taken hunger strike earlier in May Reports of arrests were also pouring in from several other districts where the students body had launched the agitation. The AASU was demanding a halt to alleged army atrocities in Nalbari and Darrang districts and a judicial probe into deaths caused by army firing this month The Chief Minister Mr Hites war Saikia has appealed to the student leaders to call of the strike as a magisterial inquiry had been ordered into all cases of alleged army atrocities and killings.

Article extracted from this publication >> May 8, 1996