Assam Governor sets terms for talks with ultras

GUWAHATI, February 7: The Governor of Assam Lt Gen (Retd) SK Sinha today said that talks with the insurgents must be held within the framework of the Indian Constitution and the integrity of the country is not negotiable. Addressing the Budget Session of the State Assembly, the Governor said that the government desired a long lasting solution to the problem of insurgency and would welcome talks and negotiations at any time and any place. The Governor's address was marred by noisy scenes as the Congress members rushed to the well of the House, shouting slogans. The Governor only read out the first and last sentences of the prepared speech and the speech was taken as read. As soon as the Governor started his speech, the leader of the Opposition Silvious Condpan asked the Governor to clarify whether he was delivering the speech as the constitutional head of the state or as the "De facto Chief Minister". Other Congress members, at that point of time, rushed to the well of the House carrying placards and banners. The Congress legislators demanded an end to secret killings, a vote on account and not the full budget etc. The Governor, in his speech, said that the law and order situation in the state improved significantly since 1996 as the government carried out the campaign against extremism without any compromise. "Not only we have achieved substantial success in our efforts in putting down extremist activities firmly, but the public resolve against the cult of violence was also being strengthened," he added. The Governor said that the concerted and sustained operations launched against the militants under the Unified Command structure resulted in perceptible improvement in the overall law and order situation in the state. During the year 2000, altogether 328 militants were killed and 1535 were apprehended in counter-insurgency operations. Such success had an impact on the morale of the militants, who are realising the futility of the armed struggle against the state and 1986 militants laid down arms and joined the mainstream last year, he added. Referring to the recent killings by the ULFA, the Governor said, "such cowardly acts not only reflect the sense of desperation". There is a growing sense of public outrage against the militants," he added. Sinha asserted that the government would carry out the fight against militants with greater resolve and determination with the active support of the common masses. "While efforts will be made to consolidate the gains of the previous years by keeping pressure on the militants, at the same time the door for dialogue will be kept open to find a long lasting solution to the problem of insurgency," he added. He also gave an account of the steps initiated by the government for the rehabilitation of the surrendered militants. Financial position : The Governor admitted that despite having rich resources the problem of underdevelopment assumed serious proportions in Assam. Over the years the per capita income of the state recorded a steady decline, he admitted. He said that the state faced acute financial constrains in the past few years and there was a huge outstanding debt. He said that the non-plan expenditure, which includes expenditure on anti-insurgency operations, has also increased considerably. "To improve the situation, the government has been trying to increase the revenue of the state. It is encouraging to note that the revenue collection till December 2000, was about Rs 734.10 crore against the collection of Rs 592.91 crore during the same period last year," he added. Assam Accord : Giving an account of the implementation of different clauses of the Assam Accord, the Governor said that the government was committed to check the illegal infiltration and to detect and deport the illegal migrants. The government is also committed to ensure that in this process no inconvenience is caused to the genuine Indian citizens, he said. The Governor, in his 43-page long speech, also gave a detailed account of the performance of different government departments.