Assam farm leader's hunger strike gets NAPM support

Guwahati, May 22 (IANS) Peasant leader Akhil Gogoi, who has been on a fast-unto-death since May 19 against the building of dams in the northeastern region, Tuesday won the support of the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM).

"The NAPM supports the brave struggle of KMSS (Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti) and Akhil Gogoi for life with dignity and against unjust destructive capitalist development thrust upon people against their will. We support the demand made by the people's movements and urge the governments of India and Assam to immediately intervene and listen to the people's voices," said a NAPM statement.

Meanwhile, government doctors, who examined Gogoi, said his health had deteriorated.

Gogoi, who heads KMSS, is on a hunger strike here demanding that the state government stop construction of all mega-dams in the northeast, stop action against anti-dam activists, and unconditionally release 27 activists detained May 11 from Ghagar in lakhimpur district.