Assam blames centre for law and order problem, says it cannot shirk from its responsibility

Guwahati, Nov 25: Facing criticism over the blast in Dibrugarh and recovery of a powerful bomb in a train, the Assam government Tuesday said the responsibility of containing insurgency also lies with the central government.

After Union Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs Sarbananda Sonowal blamed the state government over its failure to contain insurgency, the government said in a statement Tuesday that the Centre "cannot shirk from its responsibility".

"Though law and order is a state subject, the Centre cannot shirk from its responsibility so far as containing insurgency is concerned," the statement said.

"Instead of blaming the state government, the union minister must also realise that the central government too has a major role to play, as all the insurgent outfits have their bases outside the country.

Militants Sunday triggered a powerful blast in Rajgarh area of Dibrugarh district, killing two people and injuring close to 30 others. On Monday, another powerful bomb was found in train at Kendukona railway station in Kamrup district.

"By attacking the state government, Sonowal has also indirectly attacked his own government at the centre, as the central security agencies, including the army are under its control," the statement said.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi also lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the Bharatiya Janata Party has "two faces" to hoodwink the people.

"Modi acknowledges elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha had undergone plastic surgery. Is it not mythology taking precedence over science? On the other, Modi praises our scientists for their successful mission to Mars," Gogoi tweeted Tuesday.

"HRD Minister Smriti Irani put a ban on foreign language German in centrally-run Kendriya Vidyalayas. The BJP talks of secularism, unity and amity among all communities. At the same time, some of its leaders push the 'Hindutva' agenda aggressively. Does it not expose two faces of BJP? Will such divergent views lead the country in 21st Century? Is it a calculated move to hoodwink people?" he wrote.

IANS