GUWAHATI, Oct 30 - Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today issued a warning to all militant groups against creating mayhem, asserting that the Government was taking the necessary steps to weed out terrorism from the soil of Assam.
Remembering the terrorist� perpetrated ghastly crime against humanity on this day three years back at a Shrandhanjali function held under the Ganeshguri flyover, one of the blast sites, Gogoi said that acts of terror only brought misery for the innocent and yielded no results for the militant outfits.
Three years back, that is on October 30, 2008, Assam went through one of its worst nightmares when high intensity serial blasts rocked the State. Many of those killed belonged to the marginalised section, and many were sole bread winners in their families. Paying tribute to those who lost their lives, Gogoi said that it was time now for the people of the State to stand united against terrorism.
�Many innocent lives have been lost, many have been widowed and orphaned. No more blood should be shed. Our Government is determined to bring peace to the State,� said Gogoi, appealing to the anti-talks militant factions to come to the negotiating table.
Gogoi observed that growth and development of the State was hampered because of terrorism and he called upon the people to maintain vigil against subversive acts.
On the other hand, Gogoi assured the families of blast victims that the Government was considering to provide further help to them.
However, the assurance failed to act as balm for the families who have not forgotten the untimely demise of the sole bread winners in their families. While observing one minute�s silence for the peace of the departed souls, their pain intensified.
�My three children have not forgotten their father,� said Lalbanu Begum of Sixmile. Her husband, who was a city bus driver, had died at the Ganeshguri blast.
The horrific memories of October 30 brought together cross sections of citizens to the tribute paying function where they voiced their determination not to bow before terrorism. Children of Dispur Sarkari Nimna Buniyadi Vidyalaya offered floral tribute � they had lost Moromi Sarma who was the youngest blast victim.
Elsewhere across the capital city, different groups and organisations held memorial functions. The Dispur Barowari Puja Samity and Jyoti Kala Kendra jointly recalled those who lost their lives. A procession was taken out by school children at Ganeshguri, demanding peace and an end to terrorism.
The Forum for Terrorists Victims Family, Assam observed the day as Anti Terrorism Day and held an all�faith prayer meet at the Ganeshguri blast site.
The All Assam Students Union, and the All Adivasi Students Association of Assam too paid homage to the blast victims.
Candles and earthen lamps illuminated the Ganeshguri blast site and other areas including the Dighalipukhuri area in the evening as people pledged to unite against terrorism.
