Opposition condemns police action

Sualkuchi: The Opposition BJP and Asom Gana Parishad on Saturday condemned police action on protesters at silk town Sualkuchi in lower Assam’s Kamrup (Rural) district in which 10 persons were injured. Bijoya Chakraborty, BJP MP from Guwahati constituency under which Sualkuchi falls, told reporters here “like fish and coal syndicates in Assam, there also exists a silk syndicate.” “Because of the syndicate the weavers are compelled to buy thread at high rates from middlemen,” Chakraborty claimed. She said that calling Sualkuchi the Manchestor of India would not do and the demand for a yarn bank and funds for the silk industry’s survival against stiff competition from outside silk should be met. AGP General Secretary Kamala Kailta who reached Sualkuchi said, “If the government had taken action in time, the situation would not have deteriorated to this extent. This is not a one-day affair. Local weavers have been protesting for years.” (PTI)