Mahanta goes on offensive at rally

“All development activities have been hampered due to the violent activities of the militants, and the common man, for whom they (militant leaders) dream of a sovereign sate are the worst sufferers,” Mahanta said.He wondered why the ULFA and other militant leaders were shying away from negotiations despite repeated invitations by the Government, and said this proved they were least bothered about the welfare of the people.

“Look at Mizoram. Laldenga fought against the state government for more than three decades, but he finally came forward for negotiations and today that state is the finest example of peace and development,” Mahanta said.Mahanta, who termed ULFA’s demand as “unachievable”, also ridiculed rebel leaders for taking shelter in Bangladesh and Bhutan.

“They are getting arms from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and other foreign agencies. They are being used by the ISI against their own people,” Mahanta charged.

The rally, jointly organised by the AGP, CPI, CPI(M), United People’s Party of Assam (UPPA), People’s Democratic Front (PDF) and Samajwadi Party, witnessed a turnout of nearly 20,000 people despite the ULFA’s threat as well as inclement weather.

The ULFA had on Saturday asked the people to keep away from the peace rally organised by the AGP and its allies, describing it as an attempt by the ruling parties to cover up the failures and misdeeds committed during the past one year.The rally had earlier suffered an initial hitch with the BJP and some other parties dissociating themselves from it by describing it as the AGP’s attempt to derive mileage. Pramod Gogoi, senior CPI leade and state minister for flood control, lashed out at the champions of human rights by accusing them of being partisan. “Why do these people only complain of Army atrocities? Why don’t they also think of the common man who is the worst sufferer due to the ongoing conflict?” he asked.

State PWD minister Atul Bora, on the other hand, said the State Government would not hesitate to withdraw the Army for two months, “but who will guarantee that the militants would keep away from violence?” he asked.