GUWAHATI, March 2 � More than 167 terrorists have been apprehended by security forces in the last two months in the State and the government is committed to deal firmly with anti-national elements, Governor PB Acharya said in his written speech on the first day of the Budget Session of the Assam Legislative Assembly today.
�The carnage of December 23, 2014, perpetrated by terrorist groups in the BTAD and Sonitpur districts and related incidents in which a large number of innocent people lost their lives is an example of a cowardly act arising out of sheer desperation of such terrorist and extremist elements. The intensive operation by security forces in the aftermath of this gruesome killing has resulted in arrest of over 167 members and linkmen of the terrorist outfits. Two of their leaders were also killed during the action by the security forces,� said the Governor.
He added, �On the insistence of the State government, the National Investigation Agency has taken up investigation and registered four cases against terrorists. Simultaneously, action is being taken against militant elements from other militant outfits also.�
The speech was considered read and accepted in the House as he could not complete it following disruption by the Opposition over the economic condition of Assam.
The Governor added, �My government reiterates its strong and continued commitment to deal firmly with all such anti-national and terrorist elements while retaining its focus on peace through development.�
He said efforts to improve the functioning of the police in the State are being made and the force is being modernised through creation of infrastructure, procurement of latest equipment and weapons and streamlining of recruitment and training.
The three counter-insurgency and anti-terrorist schools functioning at Abhayapuri, Dergaon and Siloni are being upgraded to impart modern training to police forces to fight terrorists.
�Anti-human trafficking units have been set up and operationalised in 14 districts. Between 2011 and 2014, as many as 344 women and children were rescued, 257 culprits arrested and 330 cases were registered,� he said.
Acharya said Assam has made considerable economic progress over the last decade. �Assam�s economy has grown steadily over this period, registering an average growth rate of over six per cent steadily over the last five years,� he said.
Acharya said the State government would continue to press upon the Centre to restore the benefits under the North East Industrial Promotion Policy, which were suspended in 2014.
He said the government has taken up 100 schemes under the Flood Management Programme (FMP).
�The government is actively considering creation of a Garo Autonomous Council and four more development councils for the Kumar, Madahi, Sut and Hajong communities and a development council for SCs,� Acharya said.
�The work for updating the NRC is going on as per schedule under the guidance and supervision of the Registrar General of India. My government has taken steps for digitisation of the NRC 1951 and electoral rolls available up to March 24, 1971, and for making them available to the citizens,� he said.
He said that out of a total of 267 km of border roads, the State PWD and NBCC have completed 232.7 km.
�Government is resolved to preserve and protect the environment and wildlife. To maintain the green cover, it is proposed to create about 24,000 hectares of plantations and to distribute more than 50 lakh seedlings to the public during 2014-15,� Acharya said.
