Gogoi asks parties to stop making provocative statements

Accusing the BJP and AIUDF of making provocative statements, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Tuesday asked all political parties and outfits to refrain from calling bandhs as such actions were inflaming passions in violence-hit areas.

"I am not happy about the way in which BJP and All India United Democratic Front (AIDUF) and some other outfits are conducting themselves. I appeal to them not to make any more provocative statements," he told reporters here and called upon leaders of the two parties to restrain their cadres.

"Over the past month the state has passed through a difficult phase. This is a critical hour when everybody should exercise restraint," Gogoi said.

Assam has been severely affected by 'bandh culture', he noted, adding Monday's state-wide bandh by Bajrang Dal and Tuesday's day-long one by All Assam Minority Students Union (AAMSU) would only complicate the situation.

"This is not a time to call bandhs. Instead of bringing calm, bandhs only increase the temper and also affect the economy. I urge all parties and outfits to refrain from

calling bandhs," he said.

He rued that some parties have failed to keep his request made during the all-party meeting of August 17 to refrain from making political statements for two months over the violence in lower Assam.

Admitting that the state continues to be rocked by sporadic incidents of violence, Gogoi said the army has been given power to seize arms and exuded confidence that results would soon be visible.

Gogoi said since July 27 there has been no major incident. "However, sporadic incidents have continued I want to assure you that miscreants responsible for them have been identified and action will be taken against them."

He said over 2.5 lakh people have returned to their homes from the refugee camps in the last few weeks.

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