GUWAHATI, March 9 � MLAs cutting across party lines, today expressed concern regarding the law-and-order situation in the BTC region.
Participating in a discussion on voting on supplementary demands for grants for 2014-15 of the tribal welfare department, AIUDF MLA Abdur Rahim Khan said government employees in the BTC area face frequent extortion demands from militant groups.
�Till peace comes, it will be futile to expect development� The government has failed to rein in militants who openly roam with arms. There has been no effort to seize illegal arms,� he said.
Khan also alleged that injustice was being meted out to non-Bodos. �Funds are misused and utilisation certificates not submitted,� he said.
AGP�s Bhupen Rai said roads and other infrastructure in the BTC region are in poor shape and added that more police stations and police outposts are needed as the region regularly witnesses tension.
�The truth is that non-Bodos united during the last Lok Sabha polls to elect one person� If concerted efforts are not made, then polarisation will only increase,� he said.
BJP�s Manoranjan Das said, �If 18 Development Councils can be formed in Assam for various communities, why cannot Development Councils be formed in BTC for Koch Rajbongshis, Jogis and others?�
BPF�s Kamal Singh Narzary said that sensitive subjects like relief and rehabilitation have not been transferred to the BTC administration.
�This has created hindrance in rehabilitating people who have been affected by violence,� he said.
