From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: Insurgency is on the wane, but Maoists are rearing their ugly heads in Assam. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday said after tackling insurgency effectively over the years, his government was now faced with the problem posed by Maoists that are trying to strike roots in the State.
Interacting with the media on the New Year’s Day here, Gogoi, “Although insurgency is on the wane of late, Maoists are causing concern in the State.”
Gogoi, however, said that the government was determined to tackle it in coordination with the Central government. He said the problem posed by Maoists had already been taken up with the central government. “All steps will be taken to contain Maoists activities,” Gogoi pledged.
Gogoi termed the communal clashes between Bodos and Muslims in Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District Council (BTC) area as blot for his government during the last year. He said the clashes should have been tackled in a better way.
Regarding hurdles being encountered in rehabilitation of a section riot-affected people in the BTC area, Gogoi said there certain problems those have to be sorted out to maintain peace in the area. He further said that he would have been happier if he could check corruption to the desired extent.
Gogoi said his government would give special focus on ensuring protection and uplift of women and girl child in the New Year and called for help and cooperation from all sections of the society towards this end.
“We have to raise the awareness level on protection of women’s dignity and respect. We in the society as a whole have to change our attitude towards the girl child, “ Gogoi said. He said erosion associated with perennial flood was the main problem of Assam where rural economy has been severely affected by it.
“Erosion is the biggest problem faced by the State and it is a positive development that because of the efforts of our government, the Central government has now recognized it as a problem different from flood. We hope for assistance from the Centre near future for tackling the problem of erosion, “ Gogoi said.