Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Friday urged militants to shed violence as tens of thousands braved rains and a boycott call by militants to take part in Independence Day celebrations.
“Violence cannot solve any problem. So I appeal to all the militants to shun the path of violence,” Gogoi said while delivering a speech on the occasion here amid incessant rain.
At the same time, he warned the militants that they will be dealt with severely if they do not stop perpetrating violence.
Gogoi unfurled the national flag at the Veterinary College playground here. His cabinet colleagues participated in the celebrations in different parts of the state.
Rains failed to dampen the spirit of the tens of thousands, including the young, who poured out of their homes to take part in the day’s events.
The anti-talk faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) had called for a boycott of the Independence Day celebrations and announced a shutdown Friday.
Referring to the border dispute between Assam and Nagaland, Gogoi said that peace was needed to solve any dispute.
“I personally urged Home Minister Rajnath Singh seeking his initiative to end the problem.”
The chief minister added: “The situation in Assam has been changing since 2001. The frustration among the people has been replaced with hope.
“The state was in a financial mess when my government took over. We have stressed on the creation of employment and increasing per capita income.”
Gogoi slammed the “the bandh culture” in Assam.
“Various organisations call a bandh and it affects the economy. In 2012, the state lost over Rs.10,000 crore due to bandhs. The people of the state needs to replace the bandh culture with work culture.”