• Don’t you think that the present problems in Assam are a result of mass scale unemployment in the state, the reason for which is the failure of sucessive state governments to hasten economic development? Amitabh Kakoty India is a federal country and the Central and the State Governments have to share their responsibilities as per laid down principles in the Constitution. My government has been striving for creating an environment conducive to speedy economic development and creation of employment opportunities in the State. My government has given a lot of importance in to agriculture and allied activities and the state has achieved a record level of agricultural production. The industrial scenario in the state has improved significantly in the last two years of our Government and many industrial houses from outside the state have come to Assam to invest and to create employment opportunities. However, it is a fact that the level of unemployment is an acute problem for the state and the state alone cannot address this without the active help of the Central Government. To remove regional imbalances and disparities, the Government of India has to take special measures for fast development of the North-East region especially Assam. Unless the Government of India gives special attention and takes special measures, the goal of removal of regional imbalances will never become a reality. As an integral part of the country, Assam has every right to call for special attention and help from the Central Government. • When the killings started, instead of stamping down hard, you took the weak option of saying the Railways should have ‘‘persuaded’’ the Supreme Court to prefer local candidates. What makes you different from Narendra Modi who justified the riots as a ‘‘natural outcome’’ of Godhra? Sonam Chauhan Assam took immediate and strong and effective measures to contain the violence in the state which started as a repercussion to the assault committed against passengers from Assam in different railway stations in Bihar. Thanks to the strong measures taken by the state government, the situation could be controlled and contained, in spite of shortages of police and para-military forces to man each and every possible spots of violence. It may be mentioned that hundreds of Bihari persons are living in many interior places scattered in the nook and corner of the state and to provide immediate secutiry to each of them is not an easy job. Inspite of that fact acts of anti-social elements indulging in arson and loots was controlled within 48 hours. Safety of railway passengers were ensured and not a single incident occurred involving railway passengers in Assam. On 16th Nov, 2003, the examination conducted by the Railway passed of peacefully which was attended by candidates from even Bihar. So far as Gujarat is concerned, every enlightened citizen knows how it happened and how it was tackled. The differences between Gujarat and Assam is that the government of Gujarat justified the violence as a consequence of the Godhra incident. We are condemning all incidents of violence whether it occurred in Bihar or in Assam. There was also allegation in Gujarat that the government concerned colluded with the perpetrators of violence. But my government spared no criminal and took strong actions to control the situation. Officials at the level of Superintendent of Police were also suspended for laxity in their duty. The district Magistrate of Tinsukia district was also transferred. The OC, Dispur Police Station, was placed under suspension. My government belongs to a political party which is more than 100 years old which believes in non-violence and peace. • What steps have you taken to curb such interstate clashes in the future in Assam? Anil Lakariya The people of Assam are peace-loving and people belonging to different communities, religions and languages have been living peacefully in the state for long a time. To condemn the recent violence many organisations came out to the street in almost all parts of the State. The recent incident is not the rule but is an exception. We appealed to our counterparts to avoid creating a situation which leads to provocation in our state. • Why did you not try to solve the current violence with the help of NGOs and other political groups instead of asking for extra armed forces from the Centre? Are you planning an inner line permit like Mizoram in near future? Shyam Sharma Army and para-military forces are essential to fight insurgency since the police forces alone cannot fight with terrorists. The Indian Army and para-military forces are doing commendable job by and large. When specific complaints of harassment by Army or para-military forces are received, the government along with the authorities of the Army and para-military force always take prompt actions against any erring officials. And I do not think that at present a system of inner-line permit is necessary for Assam. • It has been a known fact that there are lakhs of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh in Assam. But leaders like you seem to be interested only in vote bank politics. Rajib Barua The issue of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh in Assam is one which has been exaggerated to suit certain sections. The data available from the Census of 1971 up to date does not support such a contention. Any illegal immigrants from Bangladesh in Assam have to be deported by lawful means. We cannot support the tendency of certain section of vested interests to term the Assamese minority people as Bangladeshi. • It is indeed sad that fellow Indians who have been making an honest living in their own country should be targted just because of their home states. Azeem Taqi All Indians are brothers and sisters and ought to be treated in that manner everywhere in the country. I am very much against violence against innocent people and we have taken and will be taking firm actions against any person found to be indulging in violence. The people of Assam are large-hearted and a large number of people from different states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and West Bengal are living peacefully in a harmonious manner for generations altogether.
