“We also plan to keep police pickets in those interior places as well as in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts where such problems also recur from time to time,” he said. “We will have coordination with neighbouring Bhutan Government as the attackers sometimes escape there and even in Arunachal Pradesh,” the Chief Minister said. Stating that no fresh violence was reported from Baksa and Kokrajhar districts after the two-day mayhem unleashed by militants, Gogoi said, “There is a feeling of insecurity among the people there”.
“The Army that was requisitioned then has now been de-requisitioned with the improvement in the situation. Of course the Army will continue with its routine counter-insurgency operations,” he added.
“The displaced 498 people affected are now being provided shelter in relief camps. We will take up with the SOS Village for the orphaned children to assure a good future for them. We will also take care of their education as well as rehabilitating the widows,” Gogoi said.
To criticisms from detractors within the Congress party and the cabinet, against him for “failing” to prevent such a situation, he shot back, “I am not bothered with what others are saying. Everyone has a right to criticize. Will I resign on other's demand? I will continue to take my responsibility to give protection to the people. I am not sitting idle”.
“My duty and top priority now is to give relief, confidence and security to the affected people. Otherwise, I will be failing in my duty,” the Chief Minister said. Downplaying the reported dissidence within his cabinet and MLAs threatening to bring a no-trust motion against him, Gogoi said, “The Centre has praised me. If there is any shortcoming, my party high command will take action against me. I don't hanker after power”.
