Asom burdened with VVIP visits, asks PM, Sonia to postpone visit

Guwahati, Jan 10 (UNI) The Tarun Gogoi government today admitted that it was facing enormous problem in carrying out counter-insurgency operation and better policing in the Upper Asom district because of frequent visits by VVIPs.

''I cannot stop them but the fact remains that they have created a huge problem for the district administration,'' the Chief Minister admitted at a press conference.

''When the SP and DC are supposed to be in the field, they are receiving VVIPs, besides briefing them every time. This has created a huge problem,'' he said.

Mr Gogoi, in fact asked to do away with the formalities when he went to visit the district.

The Governor, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, his colleague Ram Vilas Paswan, a team of Bihar ministers, BJP president Rajnath Singh besides, local leaders have been making a beeline for upper Asom since it witnessed a carnage by the ULFA.

''I have asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi not to come now. In fact I requested AICC in-charge Mr Digvijay Singh to postpone the visit so that we can concentrate more on the work at hand,'' he said.

The worst sufferers are the district authorities of Tinsukia and Dibrugarh as they not only have to ensure security but also ensure transportation, accommodation and hospitality in the curfew-affected town of Tinsukia as well as Dibrugarh.

''We appeal to all to postpone their visits. We have nothing to hide but the district authorities should be allowed to restore order,'' he said.

In fact the Asom government has decided not to take any disciplinary action or institute any inquiry for the next two weeks about the various complains of lapses they had received.

''This is the time for hard work and team work and restoring normalcy and I am not going to institute any inquiry for now.'' However, the procession of VVIPs continued and each of them addressed a press conference to ensure publicity.

UNI