The Statesman
Tuesday 2 October,2001

CM Wants radicals out
of Assam.

  The Assam Chief Minister, Mr.Tarun Gogoi, welcomed the ban on SIMI, seeking similar action against all religious fundamentalist organizations to prevent communal flare ups.
  Talking to reporters after attending the Assam Police Day celebrations today, Mr.Gogoi said the ban on Simi would give the police and other security forces the whip to crack on the organisation's activists across the state.
  "We have information that SIMI and other Islamic fundamentalist groups are active in various areas. Their link with the Pakistani ISI and Pakistan-sponsored militant outfits is well known," Mr Gogoi said The DGP, Mr Harekrishna Deka, said several SIMI Offices in the state have been identified and action against their members would be taken soon. Some of the Islamic fundamentalist or militant organizations active in the state are Muslim United Liberation Front of Assam, Muslim Liberation Tigers of Assam, Islamic Liberation Army of Assam, United Reformation Protest of Assam, People's United Liberation Front and others. The presence of a large population of Bangladeshi immigrants, especially in border areas, makes it convenient for these organizations to operate.

The Times of India, New Delhi
2nd October,2001

Ban all fundamentalist
groups: Gogoi.

  Assam Chief Minister Mr Tarun Gogoi on Monday, while welcoming the ban on SIMI, called upon the Union government to ban all such fundamentalist groups, including the Bajrang Dal.
  Talking to the media at the Police Day function, Gogoi said they are aware of a section of fundamentalists in the state and are keeping a close watch on their activities. He did not rule out the possibility of an attempt by such groups to disrupt normal life in the state.
  The Chief Minister said necessary steps are being taken to modernise the police force to meet any eventuality by providing them with latest weaponry and communication equipment with the help of funds from the Union Government.
  He said Assam is a multi-racial and multi-religious society and the security forces have been put on alert to thwart attempts by any fundamentalist group to disrupt normal life in the state.
  Earlier, the chief minister while addressing the function, called upon the state police to be more vigilant especially now that the threat has taken a new dimension following the terrorist attacks in the United States.
  He said the state government is taking all steps to improve the condition of the policemen who have played a major role in restoring peace in the state.
  Assam DGP H.K.Deka said that housing continues to be a major problem as the present level of housing facilities, which include accommodation for living and police stations, is one of the lowest in the country at about 13 percent while the national average is around 30 percent. There are states having more than 70 percent housing facilities for the policemen, he added
  Later the chief minister presented medals to state police officers for their distinguished services, including the President's Police Medal to DG Civil Defence L.David, Additional DGP G.M.Srivastava, S.P.Kar IGP(Security), W.Ao IGP(TAP), Umesh Kumar DIG(Admin) and Dr.L.R.Bishnoi, SP Kamrup was given the Gallantry award for combating militancy in the area.
  Police medal for meritorious service were also given to Inspector Sona Ram Bora, ABI Amarendra Paul, ABSI Jun Saikia, UBC Uttam Ch.Das, UBC Amulya Ratan Kalita and UBC Bhaben Kr. Bora.

Gogoi to stand by cops

  The Assam Chief Minister, Mr Tarun Gogoi, promised to take better care of the state police personnel who had helped restore a semblance of peace, fighting against heavy odds.
  Speaking at the Assam Police Day celebrations at the Judges Field today, Mr Gogoi admitted, the police had received a raw deal despite their sacrifices in fighting against secessionist forces in Assam.
  "They ought to have been better looked after," he said adding, the government would henceforth improve facilities for them in housing, training, education and health care.
  The DGP, Mr Harekrishna Deka, said the militant groups in the state were on the run in the face of relentless onslaught from the highly professional police force. "Today, Assam is more peaceful." He said adding the force had to pay a heavy price to achieve this.
  Earlier, the Chief Minister honoured over a dozen police officials and constable who had won President's Awards and Police Medals.