GUWAHATI, June 11: The growing proximity between the outlawed ULFA and the NSCN (IM) has sent disturbing signals to the Assam Government. At a press conference here today, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that the recent understanding reached between the NSCN (IM) and the ULFA may come as a serious blow to the law and order situation in the State and, therefore, has become a cause for worry.
" This latest development is very disturbing," the Chief Minister said. He said that the Centre has already been apprised of the matter. This latest rapprochement between the NSCN (IM) and the ULFA comes at a time when the ULFA is on the look out for establishing new bases, especially after their hideouts in Bhutan were busted by the Royal Bhutanese Army in December last year.
The Assam Government suspects that the designated camps of the NSCN (IM), which is already under a ceasefire agreement with the Centre, might be utilized by the ULFA. These designated camps are situated along the Assam-Nagaland border. If such a thing happens, the ULFA might regroup and the State’s law and order situation might spiral out of control. Mr Gogoi said that the growing closeness between a banned outfit and an organisation under a ceasefire agreement with the Centre is something he will discuss with the Centre.
On the issue of talks with the ULFA, the Chief Minister said that his government is open to a dialogue with the outfit and has even expressed its willingness to make certain concessions as well. " We have even appealed to the Centre to initiate talks with the ULFA to establish long lasting peace in the State. But the ULFA has not responded positively to these gestures. Instead, they have stuck to its earlier demands," Gogoi said.
On the kidnapping of his Cabinet colleague G C Langthasa’s son, Nirmalendu Langthasa, allegedly by the ULFA, Mr Gogoi said that his government is taking all possible courses to rescue him. " We know he is alive, and we are doing everything in our capacity to rescue him," Gogoi said. Interestingly, a letter written by the "chief" of the ULFA that appeared in certain section of the press recently said that Nirmalendu would be freed in exchange of the ULFA rebels who were nabbed during the Bhutan operations. However, the Chief Minister said that his government has not received such demand note from ULFA nor any other extremist organization.
Mr Gogoi also stated that he has tried to impress upon Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee on the issue of purchase of locally produced defence material by the Defence establishment stationed in Assam. "We have numerous items that the Army can locally purchase." Gogoi said. On June 28, the Defence Ministry, CII and the concerned departments will meet in Guwahati where this issue will come up for discussion, Gogoi said. " This is possible now, especially since we have our own representative in the defence ministry," Gogoi said, obviously referring to Minister of State for Defence, Bijoy Krishna Handique.
The Chief Minister also spoke on the proposed Gas Cracker Project. He said that GAIL has shown keen interest on the project, especially after Reliance apparently backed out. GAIL will first carry out a feasibility survey to assess if they could sustain the operations and submit a report to the Centre. " We are waiting for the report. After that , we will take a final decision," he said.
On the downsizing drama, Mr Gogoi made light of the entire issue and commented that more than the ministers themselves, the press in Assam is obsessed with the matter. " I don’t understand. This law is applicable to all the states in the country," Gogoi commented. However, he also said that he will try to extract the services from his ministers till the last moment. Which means, he does not want to be the first Chief Minister to carry out this difficult task. He would rather adopt a wait and watch policy. " Whenever everybody does it, I will also do it," Gogoi said.
Gogoi also spoke on the revival of the sick Public Sector Undertakings(PSUs) of the state. Of the 48 PSUs in Assam, only 4-5 have been revived after the government came to power, he said. He said that his government will try to extract a special package from the Prime Minister for the revival of all the sick PSUs in the State.