Team Anna member blames Gogoi for Maoist problem in Assam

, May 15: Team Anna member Akhil Gogoi today blamed

Chief Minister

for creating space for Maoist groups to operate in the state.

"Gogoi's government, through its repressive policies, has taken away the space from the democratic opposition. In such a circumstance, armed rebels and Maoists will emerge as the opposition", Akhil Gogoi, also leader of the farmers' body, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), told reporters today.

KMSS, along with eight other organisations, have announced a day-long agitation programme across Assam tomorrow against the alleged atrocities committed by the state police and CRPF on unarmed anti-dam activists in Lakhimpur district recently. Steps by the government to check spiralling inflation and grant of land pattas (deeds) to indigenous people was also being demanded.

Gogoi, who is an RTI activist, also demanded a probe into the recent week-long power crisis in Assam. "The latest power crisis was an artificial one created by the government. The purpose is to convince people that big dams are essential for power generation. Even public sector firms like Power Grid Corporation and IOC are hand-in-glove with the state government in this," he alleged. Gogoi said he would form a political party and contest the 2016 assembly polls in Assam.

PTI