Terrorism is the greatest threat to democracy and humanity. And the terrorists can not have any caste and religion. To deal with both the home-grown and international terrorism, a combined effort of political will and public support is the need of the hour. The speakers in a Citizens' Meet at Guwahati Press Club on November 5 came out with these conclusions. Organised by the Journalists' Forum, Assam the meeting also insisted that the authority must take responsibility to deal with terrorism and finally ensure the security of the people.
Addressing the gathering, which was presided over by the JFA president Rupam Baruah, a noted Assamese author, Nirupama Borgohain commented that the government must be responsible for the failure. The government has the legitimate power and responsibility to serve the country and provide security to its citizen, stated the Sahitya Academy award winner littérateur. Talking about the United States of America, which has dealt with terrorism after the September 11, 2001 attack, the author raised the question, why India can't do that.
DN Chakrabarty, the former editor of Dainik Asom, a Guwahati based Assamese daily, expressed anger on the utter failure of the authority's disaster management in the moment of terrorist's attack in Assam on October 30 killing over 80 people and wounding nearly 400.
The government of Assam has finally admitted that elements from foreign country (read Bangladesh) were involved in the heinous crime. Terming the terrorists as the enemy of Assam and India, Chakrabarty criticised the State government, led by Tarun Gogoi, for his callous attitude towards the crisis.
Chakrabarty appreciated the people of Assam for their patience during the crisis. He also appreciated the role of media, both print and visual, for their restrained role while covering the violence. At the same time he appealed to the media persons for a comprehensive study of the terror attacks in the country.
Talking about the threat of terrorism, Prof Abdul Mannan reiterated that terrorism never supports democracy and humanity. He also agreed that the terrorism had largely emerged as a threat to Assam and India. Prof Mannan at the same time argued that terrorism must be dealt with strong hands. He emphasised on the need of political will, where the party leaders would get united without mudslinging for the cause.
Bhadrakrishna Goswami, a prominent socio-cultural leader declared that terrorism simply destroy humanity. Remembering the terror of Assam serial blasts, Goswami appealed to all democratic forces to get united to fight the menace. The leader of anti-terror group, APW, Abhijit Sharma commented that Jehadi elements had joined hands with the United Liberation Front of Asom under the guidance of ISI for continuing disruptive activities in India. He asserted that ULFA was involved in the Assam blasts as a supportive force, if not the master mind.
Amidst the crisis of Islamist terrorism, Munin Bayan, a senor journalist analysed that it created lot of confusion among the people in general and media persons in particular. He described with his belief that Islam never allow such acts of terrorism. Anjali Daimary, a social activist emphasised on creating public opinion against the failure of the administration.
The meet in one of its resolutions, had called upon the Government to speak in one voice about who are the culprits behind the October 30 blasts and the Darrang-Udalguri clashes instead of sowing suspicions and mutual distrust among various sections of the people. It also asked the authority to identify the culprits after a speedy probe, make the results public and mete out exemplary punishment to them.
"The helplessness of the Government and the confusing role played by the opposition parties have not only eroded the confidence of the people, but also and diminished their faith in the political system, the citizens pointed out and urged the political parties to rise above petty politics of power and join hands together on issues of terrorism and threat to the nation's security," added in the resolution.
In another resolution, the meet urged the Government to tone up the disaster management system, strengthen the legal system and modernise and reform the police force to enable them to effectively confront ever newer challenges of terrorism and conflicts.
Others who were present and spoke in the meeting included GS Kalita, Benu Barua, Hiten Mahanta, Alaka Buragohain, S. Tahbilder, Jahnavi Goswami, Ranen Kumar Goswami, Sabita Lahkar, Sumitra Hazarika, Pramod Chandra Bhattacharya, Mitradev Sharma, Kishore Giri, Ranjan Baurah, Dhanjit Kakoti, Jawarlal Saha, Mukul Kalita, SN Rahman, Biman Hazarika etc. Before the meeting starts, one minute silence was observed by the participants or those killed on the terror attacks.
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