Actors protest against the price rise at the Machkhowa cultural complex area on Wednesday. Picture by Biju Boro

July 27: There was no light and camera but only action as over 100 Assamese film industry personalities today staged a sit-in demonstration to protest the “abnormal” rise in prices of essential commodities and vegetables in the wake of devastating floods sweeping the state.

The who’s who of the local film fraternity assembled at the Machkhowa cultural complex this morning to vent their ire against the administration for its “failure” to give a reprieve to the common man from rise in prices and “artificial scarcity” of essential commodities.

The district administration (metropolitan) and the civil supplies department had a couple of weeks ago said there was enough buffer stock to tide over breakdown in supplies and that they would take the manipulators to task. Actors, producers, directors and musicians took part in the demonstration, which was held under the banner of the Assam Cine Art Development Association (ACADA).

“Over 100 personalities from the local film industry participated in today’s demonstration, which was organised by the ACADA in association with the Machkhowa Social Welfare Council,” renowned actor and executive president of the association, Pranjal Saikia, said.

“As soon as I came to know that a demonstration was being held for a noble cause, I rushed to the venue to participate in the programme, leaving the rehearsals for my new theatre halfway through,” popular actor Jatin Bora said.

Echoing Bora, filmstar Ravi Sharma said, “I do not want to blame anyone for the situation, but I want that the authorities concerned should ease the burden of price rise on the common men which is becoming unbearable for them.”

Some of the film personalities who took part in the demonstration included actors Biju Phukan, Mridula Baruah, Prastuti Parasar, Zerifa Wahid, Manjula Baruah, Rajshree Phukan, Hiranya Bora, Jayanta Das, producer and director Robin Neog, among others.

Well-known actor Manjula Baruah pointed out that the price rise seems to be artificial, as there is no scarcity of commodities in the market.

District administration sources said there was no scarcity of essential commodities including potatoes and onions, but they could not explain as to why prices are rising.