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Guwahati, Oct. 19: The All Assam Students Union (AASU) refrained from celebrating the birthday of its advisor, Samujjal Bhattacharyya, today and instead took to the streets to protest against the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities.

The AASU activists also burnt the effigy of food and civil supplies minister Nazrul Islam to protest alleged government failure to control the price rise in the state.

A senior leader of the students’ body said they did not celebrate Bhattacharyya’s birthday because the soaring prices of essential commodities had badly affected the poor, lower middle and middle class families.

“It is hard to celebrate when the rising prices has put a great burden on not just the poor but also on the middle class,” an AASU member said.

The activists of the “anchalik” units of the AASU burnt the effigy of the food and civil supplies minister in their respective areas across the state today.

In Guwahati, the members of All Guwahati Students Union set Islam’s effigy on fire near Gauhati High Court around 12.30pm and shouted anti-government slogans for its failure to arrest price rise.

The protesters alleged that the worthlessness of the minister and the state government had led to a rise in the prices of essential commodities in the state.

They also criticised chief minister Tarun Gogoi for indirectly supporting the price rise by arguing in favour of the traders.

The AASU activists will stage a dharna at all district headquarters of the state tomorrow to protest the government’s inaction. The sit-ins will be organised outside the deputy commissioners’ offices.

The Opposition AGP this evening announced a Dispur chalo march on October 26 to protest against price rise.