Same conditions being applied for all: Gogoi

GUWAHATI, Dec 23 – Asserting that insurgency was on the wane in Assam, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said that the State Government was applying the same conditions for talks with the ultra outfits desirous of having a dialogue.

“There is no discrimination on the conditions for talks for different militant outfits. The same conditions apply for all," Gogoi said at a press conference.

Expressing confidence that the anti-talk faction of the NDFB would join the peace process, Gogoi said that indications were there that its chief Ranjan Daimary, too, would join the peace process for a negotiated settlement of its grievances.

“We have indications that Daimary would also join the peace dialogue. The Bodo National Conference is also trying to get the anti-talk faction involved in the peace process,” Gogoi said.

Claiming that insurgency had taken a backseat following “sincere peace efforts” by the Government, the Chief Minister said that it used to be the State’s number one problem, but it’s no longer so.

“We have been able to bring the level of insurgency down through since we assumed power. This reflects our sincerity in addressing the vexed issue," he said.

Gogoi said that on the economic front too, the State made substantial improvements more so when compared to the situation during the AGP’s regime. “Our tax collection now stands at Rs 23,623 crore in nine years as compared to AGP's Rs 4,213 crore,” he said.

Terming infrastructure development as a major objective, Gogoi said that the Government had laid special stress on improving rural connectivity. "Today a hundred new buses have been introduced meant for rural areas across the State, and we intend to increase the number," he said, adding that another 250 buses were also introduced under the JNURM for the city.