NDFB Daimary's arrest a giant step for peace : Tarun Gogoi

Guwahati, May 17 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has described the recent arrest of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) leader Ranjan Daimary alias D R Nabla as a giant step for restricting peace to the region.

"He (Daimary) is a prized catch. Sometime back, ULFA leaders including the outfit's vice-president Arabinda Rajkhowa were detained. Now, Daimary's arrest is a big achievement," Gogoi said.

"These are the two dreaded outfits in Assam - ULFA and NDFB. So definitely, it is a very big catch, and it will go a very long way in bringing peace to Assam," he added.

Daimary is said to be the mastermind of October 2008 Assam serial bomb blasts that killed over 100 people and left over 800 injured.

Daimary was as responsible for many other violent incidents in the state. Security forces arrested him near the Dawki outpost in Meghalaya.

He had been hiding in neighbouring Bangladesh. Daimary is currently in for 12 days police custody.

Meanwhile, there is a great deal of anger among residents who have suffered at the hands of Daimary.

Such is the level of anger, that even frontline criminal lawyers in Assam are reluctant to take up Daimary's case.

The Lawyers Association of Assam is yet to take a final call, as many lawyers were killed in the 2008 Assam blasts.

One such family is that of the late Dipamoni Saikia.

"Whatever punishment the government gives or Almighty gives, we can't do anything. One who has died, has already passed away. I had only one child, and now after October 30 blast, I am alone," said Purnima Saikia, Dipamoni Saikia's mother.

"No, we have discussed the matter, regarding what to do with our fraternity. We will discuss the matter further," said Nikibur Zaman, a lawyer.

The Assamese always wish for peace to prevail in the region as well as in the rest of the country.

"We want peace in our country. When we go out we are scared. We want peace and pray that all problems are solved. Whatever punishment people think right should be given to him, but we have lost our loved ones," said Anuju Aara, Assam.

The government has been urging militants in the northeast to shun violence and come forward for negotiations.

"We are still hoping that they give up violence and come forward for talks. The NDFB or the ULFA and everyone engaged in violence and various killings that took place in the state should come forward for talks," Gogoi said.

"Lots of innocent people died in Dhemaji and other places in Assam. We want to say that problems cannot be solved through violence," he added.

Security agencies have succeeded in apprehending the top leaders of undergroup outfits like ULFA and NDFB.

This has given hope to the people of Assam that peace and normalcy will soon return to the state.(ANI)