GUWAHATI, Dec 13 � Health and Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today said that the government was ready to apply the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) if necessary to address the issue of exodus of doctors from Kokrajhar.
�At any cost we have to ensure the continuity of public service,� said Sarma, adding that there was need for an internal assessment of the problem.
Sarma further said that inspite of all threats, doctors should be mentally prepared to continue their service to patients. He assured that the government would look into the security aspect of doctors.
On the other hand, Sarma said that this development will give a negative signal to any progressive steps towards right to establishing the medical college in Kokrajhar.
�There is also the need for public awareness on the issue. We appeal to the people not to have faith in any extremist organizations,� said Sarma.
Reacting to the claim by ULFA that he was a former cadre of the militant outfit and the subsequent din created over it by the AGP, BJP and KMSS, Health and Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today asserted that his major offensive against the outfit has brought such a response.
�There should be an inquiry why the AGP, BJP and the KMSS believe in the statements of the ULFA,� said Sarma, adding that he did not have the time to waste over trifling matters such as ULFA statements.
Sarma said that it was only certain political parties and organizations that believed in ULFA statements, and not the people of Assam.
�People of Assam never believed in the ULFA and it is a matter of pride and satisfaction for me that the ULFA is targetting me,� said Sarma, reiterating that his offensive against the ULFA will continue.
