'KMSS copied my Mao Tse-Tung translation'

GUWAHATI: A controversy has erupted over the Assamese translation of Mao Tse-Tung's book 'On New Democracy'. The book, which has been flying off the shelves at the 13th North East Book Fair in Guwahati, has left former president of Assam Student Youth Organisation (ASYO) and peasant leader Dinesh Das irate with the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS).
Das, who translated the book into Assamese from the volume of Selected Works of Mao Tse-Tung in 1998 published by Sachetan Satirtha, accused the KMSS of publishing his book without mentioning his name and giving him credit.
Das alleged that the book 'Natun Rupor Ganatantra', published by the KMSS, is a copied version of his book 'Naya Ganatantra'. He claimed the only difference between the KMSS book and his 1998 publication was the title.
"I would have had no problem had the KMSS published the book after consulting me," Das said to mediapersons here on Sunday.
The KMSS, however, denied the charge, saying it has taken the necessary permission from Sachetan Satirtha for publishing the book. "We have taken permission from Sachetan Satirtha to reproduce the book. So, the question of copying does not arise," said KMSS publicity secretary Kamal Medhi.