Insurgency declining in Assam: Gogoi

Says the state of Assam, had a complex population pattern of a large number of ethnic groups, tribes and communities

"Perseverance" and "focussed" development initiatives of the state government, coupled with "relentless" counter insurgency operations by the security forces, have brought a "perceptible improvement" in the law and order situation in Assam, claimed Tarun Gogoi, chief minister of Assam.

Most of these insurgent groups, said Gogoi, have expressed their willingness to come to the negotiating table. Many of the groups like Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT), United People's Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) and Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) have already laid down arms and joined the democratic process and many of them have been elected by the people. "This is a welcome development. I am happy to note that our efforts have borne fruit and there has been a perceptible improvement in the law and order situation in Assam," said Gogoi at the 16th National Integration Council in New Delhi yesterday.

The state of Assam, said Gogoi, had a complex population pattern of a large number of ethnic groups, tribes and communities, and had suffered in the past on account of insurgency, separatist movements, ethnic and communal conflict. "However, the overall environment of peace and harmony in the state over the last decade has not only resulted in the economy, which had become stagnant earlier, growing at a spectacular pace, but has also given rise to hope, optimism and self confidence among its people for a even better tomorrow," said Gogoi.