GUWAHATI, Aug 1 � Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said that illegal migration from Bangladesh to Assam had lessened but not stopped altogether.
�Nobody has said illegal migration from Bangladesh has stopped. It has gone down only. That is why we are seeking a better border protection mechanism in the form of enhances night vigilance, floating outposts, etc. In fact, we have already taken many measures to check inflation,� Gogoi said at a press conference.
Gogoi lambasted BJP leader LK Advani for his comments on the riot-hit situation, and said that Advani was merely shedding crocodile�s tears as he himself had nothing in his capacity as Home Minister to check illegal migration.
�Rather, it was I who has taken up the issue of illegal influx with the then BJP Government at the Centre, seeking adequate measures to prevent infiltration. I personally wrote to Advani on March 24, 2004, describing the border situation and the measures that needed to be taken,� he said.
Ridiculing Advani�s statement comparing the BTAD riots to those of Gujarat, Gogoi said that over a thousand people perished in the Gujarat riots which were allowed to continue for months whereas the BTAD violence was brought under control within four days.
�Advani was the Deputy Prime Minister then�what was his role in controlling the Gujarat riots?� Gogoi questioned, adding that Assam would never be allowed to become a Kashmir as feared by certain quarters, and that �all Indians will live peacefully in Assam.�
