By Abdul Gani, TwoCircles.net,
Guwahati: Slamming the opposition of trying to create a negative atmosphere in Assam, chief minister Tarun Gogoi said during the time of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) people were kept in the dark and far from development.
Reacting to BJP’s senior leader Bijoya Chakraborty’s words who had termed Gogoi-led state government failure on the other day, the Assam CM further said that BJP is using Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to create disturbance in the state mentioning the Silchar incident on Sunday night.
Assam CM addressing the press conference in Guwahati on Monday.
At least 20 people, including the superintendent of police and seven policemen, have been injured in police firing after a mob went on a rampage at Rongpur area in Cachar district following reports of some objectionable items being found at three places of worship in Rongpur.
“I can clearly mention that it is a handiwork of VHP, which under the guidance of BJP, is trying to create disturbances among the peace-loving people in the valley. We need to dominate such anti-social forces firmly. But we have always meant business for development of the common people,” Gogoi told reporters in the secretariat on Monday.
Besides, he also accused the opposition to spread rumours and trying to misinterpret the good jobs of the government. “But the people of the state are wise enough to understand it. More people died during the time of AGP and BJP in the centre than now during our regime. The insurgency problems are also decreasing,” he added.
On the much hyped Land-Swap deal with neighbouring Bangladesh, Gogoi said that Assam will gain 397.50 acres of land. “But seeing the protests being done by AGP and BJP it seem that they are the only lovers of Bangladesh. It means AGP and BJP do not want the land to be with us,” Gogoi said.
In a relief to the agitating six communities of the state demanding ST status, Assam chief minister Gogoi said that there is still hope to get their demands fulfilled. Talking to the reporters Gogoi said that the state government would take up the issue with the centre once again.
“This is not the end of the road. There are still possibilities of getting the things right. We will again take up the issue with the central government. Only the RGI (Registrar General of India) has not approved it. It is still open and we can push it again,” Gogoi said.
The six communities which have been struggling for the grant of ST status for them are Koch-Rajbongshi, Tai Ahom, Moran, Muttock, Sutia and Adivasi or the Tea Tribe communities. Dispur has also sent the recommendations in the past.
The entire issue got messed up with union tribal affairs minister V. Kishore Chandra Deo, in reply to a question by Assam Rajya Sabha MP Santiuse Kujur, saying that the communities did not fulfil the five criteria required for identification as Scheduled Tribes.
The criteria include indications of distinctive culture, primitive traits, geographical isolation, shyness of contact with the community at large and overall backwardness. This is will definitely some sort of relief to the agitating communities to get their demands fulfilled.
The CM has also said that the problems of the communities who are demanding separate state will also be solved after having tripartite meeting with the central government at the earliest.
On the witch hunting taking place in the state, he said that a new bill will be brought to tackle the social evil in the state.