I-Day: Assam CM urges militants to shun violence

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has appealed to the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) and other militant outfits to initiate talks with the government, to come to the mainstream and contribute to further develop the state.

After hoisting the National flag at the Independence Day’s main function at Khanapara Veterinary Playground, the Chief Minister while addressing the gathering said: “I appeal to ULFA-I’s Paresh Baruah and other militant groups of Assam to come to the mainstream, join our dialogue process, and contribute constructively for the welfare of Assam’s 3.30 crore people.”

The Chief Minister said that Assam is celebrating the 75th Independence Day without any bandh and protests called by militant groups, including ULFA-I, for the first time in many decades. Various extremist groups including the ULFA-I of the northeastern states had been calling for shutdown and Independence Day and Republic Day boycotts in Assam and other northeastern states for several decades, abstaining from the protests against the national day for the first time this year.

The ULFA-I has also declared a unilateral ceasefire since May this year in view of the Covid-19 pandemic situation.

Referring to the recent Assam-Mizoram July 26 fierce broder clash and firing, Sarma said: “My reverence to the six Assam police personnel who laid down their lives while protecting the inter-state boundary. While duty bound to protect our boundaries, Assam is committed to maintain friendly relations with all neighbouring states.”

The Chief Minister said that besides the population control, his government has already announced to provide government jobs to one lakh unemployed youths and to waive loans of those people, mostly women, who have taken loan under the micro finance schemes. 

“Our government would provide income generation scope to all the 3.30 crore people in Assam. We will make Assam an “Atmanirbhar” state, will make Assam as one of the five best states, will eradicate crime against women and girls, curb the drug menace. During the past three months, the security forces have seized drugs worth Rs 200 crore. Now you can think every year how much the economy is destroyed by this menace.”

Sarma expressed his appreciation to Covid warriors for their unrelenting war against dreaded disease.

Congratulating Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist boxer Lovlina Borgohain, he said that her success is an inspiration for all Assamese specially the youths and budding sportspersons.

Image courtesy of (Twitter)

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