No Hindispeaking permanent resident left Asom after violence:Gogoi

Kolkata, Jan 23 (UNI) Condemning the January five ULFA massacre as 'most inhuman and cowardly act', Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi here today claimed that "not a single Hindi-speaking permanent resident of Asom has left the state after violence." Stating that "overwhelming majority of all sections of people" were satisfied with the measures taken by the state government as well as army to contain the violence within two days, Mr Gogoi, however, admitted that only a small section of migrant labourers ,who come to the state every year for temporary work and stay for a few months have left in scare.'' Mr Gogoi, who had recently taken over as the Supreme Commander of the Unified Command in Assam for effecting a better coordination among the Army, the para-military forces and state security forces and administration to deal with the menace created by the ULFA and some other underground forces, said following a quick and very effective anti-insurgency operations the ULFA militants were forced to reduce their operations and even changed their tactics causing minimum or no effect at all.

He said inititially ULFA's unprovoked attacks were concentrated in Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Dhemaji districts, where large number of innocent civilians were killed. But following the army crackdown,they have now shifted their operation to Guwahari, Bongaigaon and Barpeta where they were targetting crowded places and planting bombs in booby traps.

"But that too have now been contained and the people are confident about the steps taken to ensure ther safety and security," the Chief Minister, who was on his way back to Guwahati from New Delhi, reiterated.

Lambasting the senseless killing of ULFA militants despite steady waning of their support bases, Mr Gogoi said these disgruntled elements were against any development of in the state.

"Their main agenda is to keep Asom disturbed and backward in every sense and particularly when the state is in the stage for rapid economic growth".

Asked about the possibility of holding of the 33rd National Games as per schedule from February nine to February 18 in Guwahati, Mr Gogoi assured foolproof security for everybody connected with the games.

"A special Inspector General of Police (IGP) has been appointed to ensure full protection for all before, during and after the games in all venues," he said.

When his attention was drawn to some news items appeared in a section of national media questioning the security during the National Games, Mr Gogoi categorically dismissed the views alleging it to be the handiwork of ULFA and its nominated member of the Pepoles Consultative Group (PCG), who were trying to confuse the people deliberately.

"But the matter of the fact is that everything is now in shape to hold the games as per schedule,"the Chief Minister said and urged the people not to pay any heed to any rumour or any mis-information campaign.

Incidentally, the Guwahati National Games would be the largest of its kind with the holding of as many as 32 events and the participation of largest number of sportpersons from across the country, he said.

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