The Hindu : National : Centre not firm in tackling Assam situation: Nitish

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 10, 2007
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Centre not firm in tackling Assam situation: Nitish

K. Balchand

Response not adequate, he says

PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday accused the Centre of not being firm in tackling the anti-national activities in Assam and demanded that it take the country into confidence through a public statement.

Briefing reporters about the report by a five-member team that studied the killings of Biharis there, Mr. Kumar pointed that the larger issue was the challenge to the country's unity and integrity. He called for an initiative to dispel fear from the hearts of those who had gone to make a living in Assam and help them settle there.

He said the Centre's response should have been serious enough to defeat the nefarious designs of the separatist forces. The Centre should shoulder its responsibility and leave it to the State Government to deal with the killing spree of the United Liberation Front of Asom.

Mr. Kumar lashed out at the Centre for sending to Assam the deputy to Home Minister Shivraj Patil instead of Mr. Patil. He demanded that Mr. Patil visit Assam and announce an initiative in the interest of the country.

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