Students in Indian state push for ousting migrants

May 22, 1980

A student-led campaign against the government began Wednesday in the northeastern Assam State, the Press Trust of India. The students, spurring agitation for the expulsion of migrant workers who came to Assam from other parts of Indian, Bangladesh, and Nepal, said the protest will last nine days.

The Army was brought in at Howli, in Lower Assam, after violent clashes Tuesday night between supporters and opponents of the movement. The town was put under curfew. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's government Tuesday said it was willing to resume talks with students which were suspended five week ago.