Guwahati, Sept. 26: The All Assam Students Union (AASU) today announced a monthlong agitation in protest against what it called the government?s failure to address some burning issues of the state.

The union said the state government?s attempt to implement the midday meal scheme had become a farce. It said students had to carry firewood to school to light the fire to prepare the meal, while teachers were busy cooking food instead of taking classes. It demanded that such a ?farce? be put to an end immediately and an alternative means of providing food be devised. The union has decided to hold statewide dharnas on October 1 to press for their demands.

The union also demanded that the appointment of political leaders in management committees of educational institutions be stopped immediately. The students of the union have decided to show black flags to such leaders whenever they attend committee meetings.

A cycle rally will be also organised to protest against the deplorable condition of roads and health facilities.

A protest march will be held on October 21 against the state?s decision to grant citizenship to illegal migrants who entered Assam after 1971. It said this was against the provisions of the Assam Accord. The union also wants Clause 3 (1) (a) (b) of the Citizenship Act to be scrapped.

The AASU will stall movement of trains in the state from 11 am to 1 pm on October 24, demanding the opening up of the recruitment process in the state government departments and 100 per cent reservation for local youths in all Northeast-based central government institutions.