Dibrugarh: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said his government is determined to ensure peace and security to all sections of law-abiding citizens in Assam and the Government will use all resources at its disposal for the same.
He categorically stated that there was no support for ULFA violence among the Assamese and there has been a surge in anti-ULFA sentiments across the state.
Regretting the "irreplaceable" deaths of the 70 Hindi-speaking people in Assam violence over a fortnight back, the PM said that the government is ready to help the victims in all manners. The Prime Minister said many of those killed had come from other parts of the country, including Bihar, to contribute and benefit local economy.
The PM was addressing a press conference at the end of a day-long tour of the violence-hit areas of the two Upper Assam districts of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia.
"Apart from the assistance announced by the government, I have already announced a compensation package of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of each victim from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund and free medical aid and financial assistance to those injured in the violence," he said.
The Prime Minister said anti-insurgency operations have been intensified in the state and the Centre has already provided 30 additional companies of para-military forces to the state. "The Army Brigade headquarter has been shifted to Upper Assam from outside the state," he said, adding that the state Chief Minister has now been put in charge of the Unified Command heading the anti-insurgency drive in the state.
"I would like to make it clear that there is no room for violence and it will not be tolerated. I appeal to all sections of the society to forego violence as a means to resolve problems. I also emphasise that all problems can be sorted out through dialogue," he said
The PM appealed to the Hindi-speaking people not to succumb to fear and return to their places of work. "The state is duty-bound to ensure safety and security of all law-abiding citizens anywhere in the country," he said.
While talking tough on the militant outfit, the PM also said that "a solution can be found to the Assam problem." "If any group wants to join talks and shun violence, we are open to talks," he said.
Singh said he would once again stress that no one should mistake 'our openness' for talks and dialogue as a sign of weakness. "The Indian State has an obligation to provide security and protection to the lives of its law-abiding citizens," he said. "This, we will discharge, let there be no doubt on that score," he added.
At the same time, the Indian state can accommodate a diversity of opinion and provide scope for meeting a wide range of needs and aspirations and allowing many cultures and identities to exist, Singh said.
"I am sure that if we persist with the process of dialogue, a solution can certainly be found in Assam today just as it has been found for many other groups and entities," he said.
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