From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi has lent his support to the UPA government’s move to set up a National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) speaking at the meeting of the chief ministers in New Delhi on Saturday.
Speaking in favour of the proposed National Counter Terrorism Centre, Gogoi, however, commented that security personnel found guilty of misusing power during counter insurgency operations must be brought to book.
“Terrorism is a scourge to society and a great threat to the country’s unity and integrity.”
“Every effort must be made to wipe out terrorism” Gogoi said.
He also took this time to mentioned how Assam government has been making all-out efforts to combat terrorism since the past 11 years with support from the Central Government.
“The militant outfits in Assam are being aided and abetted by not only militant outfits within the country but also outside forces inimical to the unity and integrity of the country.” “Hence all out efforts have to be made towards bringing an end to the menace of terrorism once and for all,” the Chief Minister said.
Gogoi said that it was because of exemplary coordination among state police, paramilitary forces and the Army in counter-insurgency operation, insurgency had been on the wane in Assam of late.
Gogoi said, “The situation prior to my assuming of office as Assam’s Chief Minister in 2001 was volatile with the militants calling the shots and dominating the scenario, and the people did not dare to venture out after the dusk.
They were more like prisoners in their own land.
But now the law and order situation has improved vastly following the relentless efforts of the State Government with support and cooperation from the Central Government.
Civilian killings have drastically come down from a staggering 400 in 2000 to 29 in 2011 and 5 in 2012. Prior to 2001 there were many secret killingsas well, but during the tenure of the present Government there has not been a single case of secret killing. This can be regarded as quite a success.