Asom celebrate Republic Day peacefully
Guwahati, Jan 26: Defying the bandh call Asom today celebrated the Republic Day peacefully and with traditional fanfare.
According to official source, there was no incident of violence from any part of the state and all official functions of the Republic Day went off peacefully. However, turnout to all these functions was very poor as ordinary civilians stayed away from the functions fearing attack.
In Guwahati, Asom Governor Lt. General Ajay Sinha took the salute in an impressive ceremony, but outside the official venue, the roads were empty, shops were closed and like all these previous years, Asom virtually remained indoors fearing violence.
IGP(SB) Khagen Sharma informed that security forces recovered 10 kg explosives from Rangiya this morning averting a major disaster.
Besides that there was nothing untoward in the whole state. There was huge security arrangement throughout the state, but the ULFA have made mockery of it triggering explosions at will and in fact in last week alone not less than 20 explosions had taken place, three at Ganeshguri, stone's throw away from Dispur, Asom government's seat of administration. But things are quiet today. There was no attempt of any violence till now.
The Governor also in his speech dwelt on the subject saying that Government would pursue policy of domination as well as negotiation to keep the ULFA under leash.
''In the process of establishing peace in the state talks are held with different militant groups. The Centre as well as the state Government have been inviting the ULFA and other insurgent groups for negotiated settlement of their demands through direct talks. The ULFA's agreeing to talk through 'Peoples Consultative Groups' with Government of India in 2005 appears to be motivated," he said.
"They had actually regrouped and consolidated their weak positions to some extent by taking advantage of the ceasefire during the period of such indirect talks. They have never shown a positive response to the Government's peace initiatives through direct talks," he said.
However, the prime Minister had reiterated while visiting Asom that door for such direct talks is still open provided the outfit shuns violence and shows positive response to the peace initiatives.
''In combating insurgency and providing security to innocent people a two-pronged strategy has been adopted by the state Government. It was counter insurgency measures against the militant groups and secondly peaceful negotiated settlement with willing insurgent groups," he said.
According to him, ''remarkable success has been achieved by the security forces in anti-insurgency operations. In the counter insurgency operation in the year 2006, 826 numbers of extremists were arrested, 53 killed in encounters with security force.'' With barely two weeks to go the National Games, everyone is keeping their fingers crossed for a violence free fortnight for the pride of Asom.
UNI