The Hindu : Laloo blames Centre

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 23, 2003

National

National

Laloo blames Centre

By K. Balchand

PATNA NOV. 22. The RJD chief, Laloo Prasad Yadav, today pointed an accusing finger at the Centre in the wake of renewed attacks on Biharis in Assam. The situation had gone from bad to worse, Mr. Yadav said, and blamed the NDA for the flare-up. The problem had started when the BJP attacked train passengers in Katihar and the Shiv Sena followed suit in Maharashtra. Mr. Yadav said a sense of insecurity had crept into the minds of the Biharis in Assam. The Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, had informed him about today's carnage.

"Mr. Gogoi is crying for help and it is the duty of Delhi to come to his rescue. It is the responsibility of the party in power at the Centre to act in the interest of the country and eschew partisanship. There should be no accusations and the Centre should take necessary measures for maintaining the unity and integrity of the country."

The Chief Minister, Rabri Devi, directed the Chief Secretary, K.A.H. Subramanian, to send two senior officers to Guwahati to listen to the grievances of the affected Bihari families and redress the same.

Meanwhile, the Bihar Motor Transport Federation's decision to discontinue the operation of trucks to Assam has affected the supply of essential commodities. The federation leader, Sagirul Haque, said the refusal of 4000 truck drivers to enter the State in protest against the murder of four colleagues would mean a daily loss of revenue of Rs. 32 lakhs to the Assam Government.

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