Ulfa supports Anna's August Kranti

GUWAHATI: Support for Anna Hazare is pouring in from every nook and cranny of the northeast. And the latest addition in the Gandhian's support base in Assam is Ulfa. Barely a few hours after Hazare walked free from Tihar Jail on Friday, Ulfa vice-chairman Pradip Gogoi came out in support for the veteran Gandhian's campaign for a strong Jan Lokpal Bill to fight corruption in the country. Though the outfit has not scheduled any specific programme to show their support to Hazare officially, Pradip urged every individual to back the anti-corruption campaign. "Ulfa has not taken any official step to extend its support to Anna Hazare's movement. But it appreciates that the people has stood for Hazare and against corruption. Ulfa, too, has always fought against corruption as the menace has ruined the state. Every individual and organisation should support anna's cause," said Pradip. In the meantime, Ulfa took a dig at the state government for he latter's alleged inefficiency. The outfit said when the state government was celebrating the Independence Day, the people of Dhemaji district were struggling for existence. "It's an irony for the people of the state that when ministers and government officials were busy celebrating Independence Day, there were people who were washed away by floodwaters. Despite repeated demands, the state government and the Centre have done nothing for the flood-hit people of Assam. August 15, 2011 will remain as a sad day for the state of Assam," he added. In an e-mail to the media, Ulfa central publicity secretary Mithinga Daimari also to Assam's people state to donate food and essential commodities to the flood victims of Dhemaji district. Oil India has already donated Rs 50 lakh to the chief minister's relief fund to help alleviate the suffering of the flood victims. Over 260 villages in Dhemaji have been marooned for the past few days. Officials said over 1.5 lakh people have been affected, 7,200 people shifted to 12 relief camps since Monday and over 21,000 hectares of standing crops totally submerged. The administration has not yet managed to reach out to the distressed as some 50 metres of NH-62 have been breached and about 20 metres of railway tracks washed away.