Anna's crusade a big victory for democracy: Akhil Gogoi

Akhil Gogoi, a key member of Team Anna, today said the government's inclusion of the key demands of social activist Anna Hazare in Jan Lokpal Bill was a "big victory" for democracy.

Gogoi, who arrived here after Hazare's 12-day fast ended yesterday, said the just-concluded crusade against corruption was the "most successful, non-violent and democratic movement the nation has witnessed since the freedom movement".

Addressing a meeting jointly organised here by Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti and Assam unit of India Against Corruption (IAC), Gogoi thanked the people of Assam for their support and cooperation in the fight against corruption.

"Even when I was with Anna at the Ramlila ground, I was extremely distressed about the flood situation in Dhemaji district. Despite the wide coverage given by media here, both the state and central government failed to tackle the situation satisfactorily," he remarked.

The Centre and state governments are aware of all the latest problems and burning issues of Assam but reluctant to address them, Gogoi alleged.

The IAC's core committee discussed the 11-year fast by Irom Sharmila against AFSPA, Assam's flood problems and negative impacts of big dams in Northeast, he pointed out.

The core committee has assured that it will soon address the problems of Northeast and urged people to continue with the struggle against big dams and corruption, Gogoi said.
Central Bureau of Investigation