People of Assam on Thursday defied a boycott call and general strike called by the militants and came out in huge numbers to take part in the Independence Day celebrations across the State.
Even a grenade blast triggered by anti-talk faction of the militants on Wednesday morning at Kokrajhar town of lower Assam failed to deter the people from coming out and celebrate the Independence Day.
People from all sections of the society, particularly the youth, were seen taking part in the Independence Day function across the State in large numbers. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi unfurled the Tricolour at a function organised by the Assam Government at Khanapara parade ground in the city while his Cabinet colleagues also participated in functions organised in other parts of the State.
Gogoi, while addressing the people of Assam stressed on overall development of the State and said his Government has been taking up steps to bring in economic development, which is the only way to solve the problems of the State.
“The situation has improved since our Government took over in 2001. The civilian killing due to insurgency was over 400 in 2001. However, only 13 people were killed due to insurgency related incidents across the State this year. The financial condition of the State was also deplorable in 2001 but now the Assam Government can spend amount to the tunes and several thousand of rupees to its own developmental projects,” he said.
Gogoi also touched the issue of Statehood demand by several communities and appealed to all to settle the differences with discussions. “As a head of a family I have said that we want to live together. However, there have been demands from several communities for separate States. I have appealed to the Prime Minister, Sonia Gandhi and the Home Minister for having tripartite talks with the communities so that their demands can be settled through discussions,” said Gogoi.