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Divide and rule politics will harm State: Gogoi

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Jan 27 - Calling for a healthy political environment where problems can be solved through discussion and consent, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday said that the politics of �divide and rule� will harm the State.

Delivering his address after unfurling of the National Tricolour at the Veterinary College ground here on the occasion of Republic Day yesterday, Gogoi also laid out a detailed report card on his government�s achievements during the last 15 years. He also criticised the Centre for removal of the Special Category State status and over other issues.

�A democratic nation is always involved in argument with itself, in introspection. This is healthy and welcome, for problems need to be solved through discussion and consent, not force. But healthy differences of opinion must not lead to an unhealthy strife in our society� A debate is justified but it should conform to democratic norms. The politics of divide and rule has extended a heavy price on our State,� he said.

The Chief Minister said that Assam has witnessed major changes in the past decade-and-a-half in various fields, like law and order, economy and finance, agriculture and social sectors.

�Today, the law-and-order situation is almost normal as will be evident from the fact that the number of civilian killings has come down from 412 in 2001 to only 10 in 2015.� Gogoi said.

He said that as many as 13 extremist outfits have laid down their arms and joined the mainstream and discussion with these groups is progressing in a positive direction.

�My government had all along been pursuing with the Centre for repatriation of ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia. Now, since he had been finally brought to the country, I feel that his association in the ongoing peace talks will definitely expedite the peace process. I would also like to appeal to Paresh Baruah faction of the ULFA and few other insurgent groups to eschew violence and return to the mainstream for the sake of the State�s interest in particular and the country as a whole,� he said.

Gogoi said that the State government is committed to implementation of the Assam Accord.

Gogoi announced major administrative rearrangement with regard to creation of new districts, administrative districts and subdivisions.

The Chief Minister said that with a view to bring administration closer to people, the State government has already created five new districts, namely, Biswanath, Charaideo, Hojai, South Salmara-Mankachar and West Karbi Anglong.

�The government has now decided to create two new districts, namely, South Kamrup and East Kamrup districts from the existing Kamrup (Metro) and Kamrup districts. Government has also decided to create new Civil Subdivisions in Bihpuriya-Narayanpur, Naharkatiya, Ramkrishna Nagar, Howraghat, Diyungbra, Dakhin Kamrup, Mukalmua, Kalgachia, Moran, Patharkandi, Katigorah, Merapani, Tihu, Sarukhetri, Manikpur, Katlichera, Lakhipur, Dhekiajuli and Sorbhog. In addition, five revenue circles of Kamrup (Metro) district, namely, Sonapur, Dispur, Guwahati, Azara and Chandrapur, are also being upgraded to Civil Subdivisions,� he said.

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