Urging the agitators who are demanding separate states in Assam to come to the discussion table, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said all communities in the state should live like a single family.
Hoisting the National Flag on the 67th Independence Day here, Gogoi hoped that an amicable solution to the issue would be found during the proposed tripartite talks with the Centre.
"We want to stay together. We are one family. We should stay as one family," Gogoi said.
He said that the Union Home Secretary has agreed to hold a tripartite meeting between the agitating groups and the central and state governments.
"I am happy that there will be a tripartite meeting. I invite all to come to the discussion and solve the problems through dialogue," he said.
The Chief Minister said every community had the right to enjoy the benefits of development.
"It is understood that there is a sense of neglect and apprehension amongst some communities and groups that the benefits of development have not reached them," Gogoi said promising that the government would do its best to ensure that no community remained deprived in the state.
Acknowledging that the UPA government's decision to create Telangana has led to demands of separate states by communities like Bodos, Karbis, Dimasas and Koch-Rajbonshis, the Chief Minister said the movement has become violent at many places.
"While every community and indeed citizen has the right to agitate in a democratic and peaceful manner for settling grievances, violence and wanton destruction of public property cannot and should not be used as legitimate means for such purposes," he cautioned.
