From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: On completion of 12 consecutive years in the office of chief minister of Assam since May, 2001, Tarun Gogoi on Saturday claimed to have neutralized 75 per cent of militants in the
State besides preventing Maoists from setting up firm base in the State because strict vigil and development initiatives undertaken during his tenure.
Gogoi claimed that recent arrests of several senior Maoists functionaries in Assam including central committee leader served blow to Maoists’ plan to gain foothold and expand base in the State.
He also said that the developmental works undertaken by the Congress government led by him as well as maintenance of close vigil has prevented Maoists from striking deep roots among the masses in Assam as quickly as they wanted to do so.
“The Maoists have been trying to set base in the state. We had alerted the Centre about their design even before the latter could gather much information about it. We have been keeping a close watch on their activities and this strict vigil has served as an impediment for the Maoists, who have been trying hard to set strong base here,” Gogoi said.
He claimed that development initiatives undertaken by his government besides the unrelenting efforts of law-enforcing agencies have been instrumental in checking Maoists and other insurgent groups from making deep penetration among the vulnerable masses in the State.
The chief minister pointed to the series of seven arrests of top Maoists leaders, including a central committee member, in the state in the last few days.
Gogoi claimed that his government has been able to check ‘at least 75 per cent’ of militant activities in the last 12 years.
“Most insurgent groups are in talks or willing to come forward. Though a few hardliner factions are still at large, there is no cause of much worry as these factions do not have much support among the people anymore,” Gogoi said.
He also said that civilian killing has come down to 39 in 2012 from 412 in 2000, the year before he took over the reins of the state from the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP).
CBI yet to respond to recommendation on AICCTU leader’s killing probe
Meanwhile, the CBI is yet to respond to Assam government’s recommendation for an inquiry by into the killing of All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) leader Gangaram Kaul in Tinsukia in eastern Assam in March.
Gogoi said “The Assam government has recommended a CBI enquiry into Kaul’s killing. But we are yet to get any response from the CBI.”
He, however, added that the CBI’s failure to respond so far does not necessarily imply that it will not take up the case and said the response can be delayed at times.
AICCTU leader Kaul, who was working for under privilege tea garden workers and launched a tirade against anomalies in public distribution system in local tea workers inhabited areas was alleged killed by ‘Congress goons’ on March 25 last.
Kaul’s murder issue was also raised by a trade union leader, Subhash Sen, during the inaugural session of 45th session of Indian Labour Conference at New Delhi on Friday.
Sen had reportedly interrupted Union Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge’s speech, in the presence of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and others, seeking a ‘reply’ from Dr Singh on the alleged non-progress in investigations into Kaul’s killing.