UAM members demand better facilities

MUSSOORIE, 29 July: Agitators under the banner of Uttarakhand Andolankari Manch (UAM) took out a rally here demanding better facilities for the state agitationists including setting up of a polytechnic institute at Mussoorie. The rally began from “Shaheed Sthal” and culminated at Court premises.
Raising slogans against the BJP government, the members accused the government of neglecting their long pending demands. Addressing the gathering, Jaiprakash Uttarakhandi, warned that they would intensify their agitation if their demands are not met by 2nd October.
“Despite claiming to be an Andolankari, the CM has failed to do anything for the agitationists,” he said, while adding that the politicians, who have betrayed the agitators, will have to pay a heavy price.
Speaking on the occasion, Devi Godiyal, UAM President, alleged that the government was not interested in the welfare of State agitationists even when some of them were forced to commit suicides due to poverty. He warned that, henceforth, the Manch members would ban the entry of ministers in Mussoorie if their demands are not met soon.
60-year-old Sushila Rawat, who participated during the state agitation movement, said that her sacrifice had gone in vain. “I am being neglected by the government at this age,” she rued. Bhagirithi, another state agitationist, disclosed that her children were dying of hunger due to the apathy of the government. “The government is not interested in our plight but, I will fight for justice till my last breath,” she said.