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Govt assurances still on paper

By R Dutta Choudhury

GUWAHATI, Oct 30 � Six years have passed since the day Assam faced its worst ever terror attacks, in which more than 90 people were killed within a span of half an hour in serial blasts in three places of Guwahati, Barpeta Road and Kokrajhar, but till date, the State Government has not taken adequate precautions to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future.

Along with cross sections of the people in the State, the State Government also paid homage in memory of those killed in the gruesome terror attacks. But the Government has not done its main job, that is to ensure protection of the life and property of the people. Even the decisions taken immediately after the blasts by the State Cabinet have not been implemented. The assurances and announcements made by the Chief Minister also remained on paper.

The day after the attacks, the State Cabinet decided to appoint a Police Commissioner in Guwahati to improve security measures in the ever growing city. Official sources admitted that following the decision, the State Home Department also prepared a detailed proposal in this regard. But unfortunately, till date, the decision remained on paper for the reasons best known to the people at the helm of affairs.

Immediately after the October 30, 2008 blasts, the State Government formed a committee headed by former Director General of Police, DN Dutt to examine the loopholes in the security system and to suggest measures. But the recommendations of the committee are also gathering dust. One of the main recommendations was to appoint a Police Commissioner in Guwahati. It may be mentioned here that whenever any major incident takes place in the city, the Government announces that a Police Commissioner would be appointed. But nothing was done afterwards.

As one of the blasts took place inside the campus of the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kamrup, the Chief Minister announced effective steps to ensure proper security of the courts. But the promises remained mostly on paper.

The vice chairman of the North East Bar Council, Nekibur Zaman told The Assam Tribune that only a wall in the front side of the CJM court premises along with a gate was constructed. But the Government did not take any step to secure the riverside of the court premises and anyone can enter the premises from that side without any trouble. Moreover, the Government promised to install CCTV cameras on the court premises, but nothing has been done.

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