The Hindu : National : ULFA took advantage of ceasefire: Assam Governor

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Saturday, Jan 27, 2007
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National

National

ULFA took advantage of ceasefire: Assam Governor

Sushanta Talukdar

Guwahati : The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has never shown a positive response to Government peace initiatives.

It had instead "regrouped and consolidated its weak positions" by taking advantage of the ceasefire during the period of indirect talks through the People's Consultative Group, Governor Ajai Singh said.

Lt. Gen. (retd.) Ajai Singh was delivering his Republic Day address after hoisting the National Flag at the Judges' Field here in the presence of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

Boycott call

Schoolchildren and folk artistes joined the Republic Day celebration and took part in the cultural programme defying the ULFA's boycott call.

Apart from Government offices and educational institutions, the tri-colour was hoisted in different parts of the city.

However, traders downed shutters. Private vehicles and buses were off the road as the outfit had triggered several blasts in the city, mostly in market places during the last one month.

There was no report of any untoward incident in the State.

The Governor said after thesenseless killings of innocents, the peace-loving people of the State had come out spontaneously in large numbers to organise peace rallies and prayer meetings.

The Government was determined to put down violence with a firm hand and ensure that everybody, irrespective of caste, creed, community, language and religion, was able to live in peace and harmony.

The Government had adopted a two-pronged strategy to combat insurgency and provide security to the people — counter-insurgency measures against militant groups and peaceful negotiated settlements with willing insurgent outfits.

In the counter-insurgency operation in 2006, 826 extremists were arrested and 53 killed in encounters with the security forces.

Three hundred and ninety six militants had surrendered.

The State had formulated a mission to generate employment and stimulate economy. It would be launched in the current financial year at a cost of Rs. 669 crore, spreading over three years, with a beneficiary contribution of Rs. 349 crore and State contribution of Rs. 320 crore. Steps had been taken to fill 25,000 vacancies in 2006-07 and 2007-08. Instructions were issued to 31 departments to fill up about 9,000 posts.

"Had there been no insurgency problem and killings of innocent people by the terrorist groups, Assam would have attracted huge domestic and foreign investment by this time which would have further improved the scenario of the State."

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