GUWAHATI, FEBRUARY 10 (PTI): Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today termed as "positive development" the initiation of talks by the ULFA leadership with the Centre and hoped that this will lead to restoration of peace in the state as well as in the entire northeast."My yesterday's meeting with the ULFA leaders was very cordial and they had expressed their desire for an honourable solution to the vexed problem. We, too, on our side showed full respect to them and agreed upon for a meaningful solution to the problem.
We also cannot let Assam's existence to be endangered," Gogoi told reporters here today."It is a positive development. It's heartening that the ULFA leadership came forward to take part in the peace process as per the desire of the people of Assam. I hope this will lead to restoration of permanent peace in the state and the entire northeast," he said."I hope that (elusive ULFA 'commander-in-chief') Paresh Baruah and his followers, including (ULFA 'central executive committee' member) Jiban Moran will also join in the peace process for the greater interests of the people of the State," he said."We expect the ULFA problem will be resolved soon and the law and order situation in the state has improved tremendously."
Gogoi also lauded the initiatives taken by Hiren Gohain and others of Sanmilita Jatiya Abhibartan (of intellectuals) in bringing the front ranking leaders of ULFA to the negotiation table.
To queries what were the issues they talked about in yesterday's meeting, he said, "we had no discussions as their's (ULFA leaders) was only a courtesy call".On him not being present in the meeting in Delhi today, Gogoi said, "Home Minister P Chidambaram and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee asked me to come. I told them when the talks are finalised I will be there.
Today's meeting is only a courtesy call." On media reports that the ULFA delegation yesterday had to sign in the register and deposit their mobile phones before seeing him at his residence, he clarified, "It is a normal procedure followed by all visitors, dignitaries, including ministers, officials, etc. It does not mean that the government of Assam has shown any disrespect or dishonour to the top ULFA leaders."
We also cannot let Assam's existence to be endangered," Gogoi told reporters here today."It is a positive development. It's heartening that the ULFA leadership came forward to take part in the peace process as per the desire of the people of Assam. I hope this will lead to restoration of permanent peace in the state and the entire northeast," he said."I hope that (elusive ULFA 'commander-in-chief') Paresh Baruah and his followers, including (ULFA 'central executive committee' member) Jiban Moran will also join in the peace process for the greater interests of the people of the State," he said."We expect the ULFA problem will be resolved soon and the law and order situation in the state has improved tremendously."
Gogoi also lauded the initiatives taken by Hiren Gohain and others of Sanmilita Jatiya Abhibartan (of intellectuals) in bringing the front ranking leaders of ULFA to the negotiation table.
To queries what were the issues they talked about in yesterday's meeting, he said, "we had no discussions as their's (ULFA leaders) was only a courtesy call".On him not being present in the meeting in Delhi today, Gogoi said, "Home Minister P Chidambaram and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee asked me to come. I told them when the talks are finalised I will be there.
Today's meeting is only a courtesy call." On media reports that the ULFA delegation yesterday had to sign in the register and deposit their mobile phones before seeing him at his residence, he clarified, "It is a normal procedure followed by all visitors, dignitaries, including ministers, officials, etc. It does not mean that the government of Assam has shown any disrespect or dishonour to the top ULFA leaders."
SC verdict will inspire secessionism: Gogoi
Newmai News Network
Guwahati | February 10
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi has sought a review of the Supreme Court’s ruling that membership of any banned organization was not a crime. This judgment, he felt, will inspire anti-Indian and secessionist forces particularly in the trouble-prone Northeast. The apex court had on February 4 passed a judgment saying that mere membership of a banned organization does not make a person criminal unless he or she resorts to violence or incites people to violence.
The judgment was passed while upholding an appeal by Arup Bhuyan, an alleged activist of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), challenging his conviction by a designated TADA court in Guwahati for being a member of the outlawed outfit.
“I think this verdict by Supreme Court calls for a review, as it will encourage secessionism,” Gogoi said in Guwahati on Thursday. He was interacting with mediapersons to claim that his government’s pro-development credo since 2001 ushered in a climate of peace that resulted in initiation of the peace process with the ULFA. The chief minister’s interaction coincided with the meeting between Union home minister P. Chidambaram and an eight-member ULFA team led by its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa in New Delhi. Tarun Gogoi, however, admitted other militant outfits such as the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) were yet to be reined in. This was in reference to the abduction of six World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) officials a faction of the NDFB had abducted last Sunday.
The abductors freed three women among the six captives on Tuesday evening. “The incident is under close watch of the government and necessary steps are being taken to release the three male captives,” the chief minister said. The abductors have reportedly sought Rs 2 crore as ransom for the release of the three WWF officials. Officials have denied any knowledge of the monetary demand.
Guwahati | February 10
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi has sought a review of the Supreme Court’s ruling that membership of any banned organization was not a crime. This judgment, he felt, will inspire anti-Indian and secessionist forces particularly in the trouble-prone Northeast. The apex court had on February 4 passed a judgment saying that mere membership of a banned organization does not make a person criminal unless he or she resorts to violence or incites people to violence.
The judgment was passed while upholding an appeal by Arup Bhuyan, an alleged activist of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), challenging his conviction by a designated TADA court in Guwahati for being a member of the outlawed outfit.
“I think this verdict by Supreme Court calls for a review, as it will encourage secessionism,” Gogoi said in Guwahati on Thursday. He was interacting with mediapersons to claim that his government’s pro-development credo since 2001 ushered in a climate of peace that resulted in initiation of the peace process with the ULFA. The chief minister’s interaction coincided with the meeting between Union home minister P. Chidambaram and an eight-member ULFA team led by its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa in New Delhi. Tarun Gogoi, however, admitted other militant outfits such as the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) were yet to be reined in. This was in reference to the abduction of six World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) officials a faction of the NDFB had abducted last Sunday.
The abductors freed three women among the six captives on Tuesday evening. “The incident is under close watch of the government and necessary steps are being taken to release the three male captives,” the chief minister said. The abductors have reportedly sought Rs 2 crore as ransom for the release of the three WWF officials. Officials have denied any knowledge of the monetary demand.
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