Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress president Mira Borthakur Goswami today criticised the BJP-led Assam government over the ongoing protest by 108 emergency service employees, saying it was deeply unfortunate that hundreds of workers were forced to spend Magh Bihu away from their families while fighting for their basic rights.
Goswami visited the protest site at Cachal, where 108 service personnel have been sitting in protest for the past 45 days. She met the workers and their families and expressed concern over their living conditions, especially during Bhogali Bihu, a festival traditionally spent with family and community.
Speaking to the media at the protest site, Goswami said it was painful to see employees who provide emergency services to the public spending Bihu on the streets with their children. “Today is Bhogali Bihu. Everyone should be at home celebrating. But these 108 employees are here, suffering for the last 45 days, and the government is doing nothing,” she said. 
She recalled that after protests by the opposition earlier, the government had promised to release the pending November salaries of the employees. “Even that promise was not kept. Not a single salary has been released,” she alleged. Goswami pointed out that many of the protesting workers were sitting with pitha, ladoos and their children at the protest site, trying to observe Bihu in whatever way they could.
“These people work for 12 hours but are paid only for eight hours. They are educated and experienced. Why should they be sitting here protesting? They should be at home with their families today,” she said.
Goswami said she had chosen to come to the protest site on Bihu instead of staying at home to understand the plight of the workers. “Today I should have been at home celebrating Bihu. But I came here to see their condition with my own eyes. I appeal to the government to listen to their demands and allow them to go home,” she added.
She also said that during her visit, she witnessed emotional scenes at the protest site. “One of the protesting employees broke down and cried. On a day like Bihu, they are forced to stay here. This shows how serious the situation is,” she said.
Questioning the government’s priorities, Goswami said the state was running multiple schemes that provided money to nearly 40 lakh people. “If the government can reach out to such a large number of people, why can it not listen to the voices of around 3,000 protesting 108 employees?” she asked.
She further alleged irregularities in the functioning of the service provider. “There are allegations that fake bills are being raised and only around 300 vehicles are being run. I demand that the government answer why it is ignoring the genuine issues faced by 108 employees,” she said.
One of the protesting employees said they were not asking for anything illegal. “We have no extra demands. We are only asking for our rights. We want job security. Look at our condition — even during Bihu we are here on the streets. What kind of life is this?” the employee said.
Speaking to Northeast Scoop, another protester said the agitation had been continuing peacefully for over a month. “It has been 45 days since we started this protest in a democratic way. We are not demanding anything against the law. We are asking for our rightful dues,” the employee said.
The protester added that nearly 3,000 employees were involved in the movement and around 1,100 had already been terminated. “Despite this, we are standing united. Today is Bihu, and we are sad that we cannot go home. But we are also grateful to the people who are coming here with pitha and sweets to support us,” the employee said.
The 108 emergency service is considered a lifeline for people during medical emergencies. Many protesters said it was ironic that those who save lives every day were now struggling for their own livelihood and dignity.
As Magh Bihu celebrations continue across Assam, the protest at Cachal has cast a shadow over the festive mood, raising serious questions about the treatment of frontline emergency workers and the government’s response to their long-pending demands.
