Spotlight

New Delhi, 7 March 2007

ASSAM STUDENTS PROTEST AGAINST ULFA TERROR

NEW DELHI, March 8 (INFA): A large number of students from Assam have arrived in the Union Capital to protest against the atrocities of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) across the State.

The students sat in a demonstration at New Delhi’s Parliament Street on Monday, demanding the Centre’s intervention to stop violence by the underground and protect the lives of the innocent people.

Of late there have been a series of senseless killings of a large number of innocent people in some parts of the State of Assam.  Nearly one hundred persons have been killed and many have suffered injuries.

The killings have been done in a cold blooded and brutal manner of the people who earned a daily living by selling their labour for a variety of small tasks. Many of them are from others parts of the country, including Bihar, to contribute and also to benefit from the local economy.

The State Government is providing Rs.3 lakh as assistance to the kin of those killed. The Centre has promised give an additional Rs.2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.

Free medical treatment is being provided to those injured and financial assistance of Rs.50,000 Rs.10,000 each is being provided to those who have grievous injuries and minor injuries respectively. Over 35 relief camps are in operation.

On the security front, an additional 30 Companies of Central paramilitary forces have been provided to help the State Government in its security measures.

An Army Brigade Headquarters has been shifted into Upper Assam from outside the State. Counter-Insurgency operations, patrolling and combing have been intensified.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is now chairing meetings of the Unified Command to monitor and supervise security measures. The security agencies are trying to create a sense of security among all people, including Hindi speaking people.

Meanwhile, delegations from all shades of political opinion have met the Prime Minister and have asked for establishment of peace in Assam.

Surveys are repeatedly showing that there is absolutely no support in Assam for acts of violence and terror.

India is a democratic and multi-cultural country.  Many groups and entities in the country have found solutions of their problems to their satisfaction through the process of dialogue.

The same holds true for Assam.  Violence and terror can never win hearts. However, when it came to direct talks with ULFA, things came to a standstill. Instead of making headway, a mindless cycle of violence was restarted.

Openness of the State for talks and dialogues should not be mistaken for a sign of weakness.---INFA