Assam CM Gogoi's mantra to kill insurgency
November 19, 2011 20:00 IST
To neutralise insurgency and Maoist activities in his state, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has asked for peoples-friendly low-cost technologies instead of more central forces to give a face-lift to the state's cottage industry based on indigenous raw materials and revolutionise the farm sector.
"The basic cause behind insurgency and Maoists activities or naxalism is frustration over lack of livelihood options. So we need to create jobs or source of income for youth in backward areas to prevent them from going astray. It is not true only in case of Assam but for the whole of the country," Gogoi said.
Wiser from the experience of tackling insurgency for over a decade as the chief minister of Assam, Gogoi on Saturday cautioned against neglecting development interests of vulnerable, backward areas which could turn breeding grounds for Maoists and insurgents.
He pointed out that backward areas, especially border areas of Assam, had been marked vulnerable for infiltration by insurgents and Maoists.
He said deputy commissioners of various districts of Assam would be asked to submit reports on implementing developmental schemes in those backward areas.
On the present status of insurgent groups in the state, including the hardline ULFA faction, the chief minister that all were 'under control'.
"They (ULFA anti-talks faction) are trying to create problems, but it is under control. We have to be vigilant at all the times," he added.
K Anurag in Guwahati
