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India Today
5 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Gaurav Gogoi slams Assam government's arms license policy near border areas
Assam Congress President and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi on Friday came down heavily on the Assam Government's recent decision to grant arms licenses to civilians residing in border and remote termed the policy "highly condemnable" and accused the ruling BJP government of promoting a strategy that prioritises weapons over the essential needs of the to the media, Gogoi said, "People of Assam want water, employment, education, and medical facilities, not guns." He argued that the controversial move, instead of protecting citizens, may lead to an increase in fake encounters, citing recent Supreme Court criticism over alleged police excesses in Gogoi warned that such a policy could be misused to arm workers aligned with the BJP and RSS, potentially endangering innocent businessmen and shopkeepers in the region.'Under the new policy, more fake encounetrs can take place. The honest shopkeepers there, the businessmen there will face difficulties in the days to come. All these guns will go to BJP and RSS workers. The current government has made a highly condemnable policy. They should roll-back the policy," said criticism follows a May 29 Cabinet decision under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to approve a Special Scheme for Grant of Arms initiative targets original inhabitants and indigenous Indian citizens in vulnerable and border areas, with the stated goal of enhancing personal security and deterring unlawful the decision, CM Sarma claimed the policy would empower communities to safeguard themselves in high-risk zones. The policy was approved during a cabinet meeting held at the Lok Sewa Bhawan in the same meeting, the Assam cabinet sanctioned a 250 crore proposal to transform 34 polytechnics and 43 government ITIs into Centres of Excellence in partnership with Tata Technologies, aiming to bolster skill development and the Assam Cabinet approved the renaming of several key state institutions to honour the legacy of the state's distinguished personalities. The Sarusajai Sports Complex will now be known as the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex, while Mangaldoi Stadium has been renamed Raja Dharma Narayan the State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Development will henceforth be called the Golap Borbora State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Watch IN THIS STORY#Assam
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Gaurav likely to be quizzed over ‘Pak links'
1 2 Guwahati: Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha and the recently appointed state president of the party, Gaurav Gogoi, is likely to be summoned soon for interrogation in connection with the case over his alleged links with Pakistan, a highy placed source in the police said. The source added that a letter would be written to the Lok Sabha Speaker, seeking permission to interrogate Gogoi, if required. Gogoi's party colleague, senior Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora, was interrogated by the SIT of the Assam police for about four hours on Thursday in connection with the case. He was questioned by the SIT regarding his statement during a press conference on Sunday, where he 'defended' Gaurav over the Pakistan link allegation against him. Saying that he is waiting to join the interrogation by the SIT, Gogoi told the media, "SIT has to collect all the evidence in the case on their own. Instead of that, they have sought info from Ripun Bora. What did they do in the name of investigation if Bora has to give the info to them?" He added that the people of the state have already understood the politics hatched in the name of allegations and the investigation. "We have been talking about the ongoing syndicate of coal, sand, and betel nut and the scams by the CM and a few of his close ministers, and we will take the issues to the people," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Gogoi was appointed as the president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee on Monday. He succeeded Bhupen Kumar Borah. On Sunday, Bora, in a press conference, claimed that Sarma was trying to portray Gogoi as an ISI agent only because the BJP leader knows that the present govt will decisively lose the assembly elections next year if Gaurav is made the CM candidate of the opposition party. "Gaurav's wife might have visited Pakistan or got a salary for her work from Pakistan, what's the problem in that? Likewise, many Pakistani people are working in India legally," he said. Following this, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that Bora made a "startling confession" that his party MP Gogoi's wife was on the "payroll of the Pakistan govt". Earlier, Sarma had alleged that Gaurav visited Pakistan on the invitation of ISI, underwent training there, and worked closely with the establishment of the neighbouring nation.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Assam cops may interrogate Gaurav Gogoi over 'Pak links'
File photo: Gaurav Gogoi (Picture credit: ANI) GUWAHATI: Congress deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, recently appointed president of the Assam unit of the party, is likely to be summoned soon for interrogation in connection with a case to do with his alleged links with Pakistan, a highly-placed police source said. The source said a letter would be written to the Lok Sabha Speaker seeking permission to interrogate Gogoi, if required. Gogoi's party colleague and former Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora, was interrogated by an Assam police SIT for four hours Thursday in connection with the case. He was questioned regarding his statement during a press conference Sunday, where he 'defended' Gogoi over Pak-link allegation against him. Bora had said that CM Himanta Biswa Sarma was trying to portray Gogoi as an ISI agent only because BJP knows the present govt will lose assembly elections next year if Gogoi is made the opposition's CM candidate. Gogoi told the media, "...SIT sought information from Ripun Bora. What did they do in the name of investigation if Bora has to give them all info?" He said state's people have already understood the politics hatched in the name of investigation. "We have been talking about the ongoing syndicate of coal, sand, and betel nut and scams by the CM and a few of his close ministers, and we will take the issues to the people," he added.
The Wire
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Wire
Opposition Decries Assam Govt Scheme Giving Gun Licenses to Indigenous People in Six Districts
New Delhi: In poll-bound Assam, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has announced that a special scheme has been cleared by the state cabinet whereby arms licenses will be handed over to 'original inhabitants' living in 'vulnerable and remote areas' and those along the border with Bangladesh as a 'deterrent to unlawful threats'. Making that announcement at a press conference in Guwahati on Wednesday (May 28) after a cabinet meeting, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma named six districts where the special scheme will apply. Most of these districts, however, don't border Bangladesh, while all of them are predominantly Muslim. 'It's a very important and sensitive decision. Indigenous people in these districts live in an atmosphere of insecurity due to the recent developments in Bangladesh. They face the threat of attacks from the Bangladesh side and even in their own villages,' said Sarma. Underlining the fact that assembly elections are slated for early next year in the northeastern state, where the ruling BJP has been successfully polarising voters on the issue of 'illegal immigrants from Bangladesh', a Deccan Herald news report noted that the 'BJP in Assam considers the Bengali-speaking Muslims as 'illegal migrants' from Bangladesh and a threat to identity and culture of the indigenous Assamese people. The decision comes amid a drive for detection of illegal migrants (mainly Bengali-speaking Muslims) and 'push back' policy adopted by the government for sending them back to Bangladesh.' The news report quoted Sarma as saying that 'the indigenous people who are in a minority in these vulnerable areas face threats and are in a sense of insecurity. The decision was taken in view of long-standing demand by indigenous people in these areas. The government won't help them buy arms but will give them the license to procure them.' Hinting at the former Tarun Gogoi-led Congress government, the chief minister also said , 'Had previous governments given them arms licences, many people would not have to sell their lands and leave the places. We could have saved a lot of lands from being occupied.' The BJP government's decision has been widely criticised by the opposition parties in the state. Newly named state Congress president and deputy leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, called it a 'dangerous step' backwards towards 'lawlessness and jungle raj'. Asking Sarma to take the decision back immediately, Gogoi, who is increasingly being seen in the state as a formidable opponent to Sarma in the coming polls, said the chief minister should rather focus on restoring public trust through his leadership. On X, Gogoi also said , 'I strongly condemn Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's decision to distribute arms to civilians in border regions of the state.' He said the people of Assam deserve jobs, affordable healthcare and quality education, not guns. Gogoi, an MP from the state's Jorhat constituency, said, 'Instead of strengthening police and border forces, the government is intent on distributing arms amongst BJP-RSS [Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh] sympathisers and local criminal syndicates. This will lead to gang violence and crimes based on personal vendettas. Local businessmen and traders are bound to be harassed.' Congress leader and former state pradesh Congress president Bhupen Borah asked , 'Are we trying to emulate the United States, where gun violence is rampant? Do we want our children growing up in a society where firearms are normalised?' Another fiery opposition leader in the state, Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi, accused the Sarma government of orchestrating a 'dangerous political strategy' aimed at fuelling communal unrest ahead of the 2026 elections. Akhil Gogoi, also MLA for the state's Sivasagar constituency, said, 'If the government says it cannot protect indigenous people, it amounts to an admission that the home department has failed. It's a shame. 'It is not a routine policy move; it has the potential to tear Assam apart and disturb communal harmony before the elections,' he said. Opposition leader and president of the Assam Jatiya Parishad, Lurinjyoti Gogoi, also called it a ploy to divide communities ahead of the elections. 'First, it was Smart Police, then Police Raj and now a free-for-all-gun culture. This is not just incompetence, it's a deliberate attempt to stoke communal tensions as elections approach.' Susmita Dev, Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP and a native of Assam's Silchar town located close to the Bangladesh border, too questioned the government's move. 'He [Sarma] said that this will be done to let 'sons of soils' protect themselves from illegal immigrants. He is asking people to have arms licenses, meaning he does not have trust in [the] Assam police and Border Security Force (BSF). This is an insult to the BSF and Assam Police.' A report in the Guwahati-based The Sentinel quoted All Assam Minority Students Union president Rezaul Karima Sarkar saying, 'We, the Assamese people – irrespective of being a minority or majority – are peace-loving. But this government, led by Himanta Biswa Sarma, seems determined to disrupt our peace with such decisions.' Urging the government to reconsider its decision, Sarkar said, 'It is the government's sole responsibility to protect its citizens. The home department, which is run by none other than the chief minister himself, is there for this very purpose. But, pathetically, we are witnessing a situation where, instead of providing pens for community development and promoting peace, the government is offering guns, provoking violence. 'By doing so, the government is essentially admitting its own failure.'
India Gazette
13 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Condemnable": Gaurav Gogoi criticises Assam's arms license policy, calls to roll-back
New Delhi [India], May 30 (ANI): Assam Congress President and party MP Gaurav Gogoi on Friday strongly criticised the state government's decision to grant arms licenses to civilians near border regions. Gogoi condemned the policy, urging the government to roll it back. He emphasised that the policy is detrimental to the people of Assam and serves the interests of the ruling party rather than the public. Gogoi argued that the people of Assam prioritise basic necessities like water, employment, education, and healthcare over guns. Gogoi expressed concerns that the new policy could lead to more fake encounters, citing recent Supreme Court criticism of the Assam government's handling of police encounters. He warned that honest shopkeepers and businessmen might face difficulties and that the guns would likely end up with BJP and RSS workers. 'People of Assam want water, employment, education and medical facilities, not guns. Just a few days back, the Supreme Court rapped Assam Government that it is getting forced encounters done by pressuring the Police. Under the new policy, more fake encounetrs can take place. The honest shopkeepers there, the businessmen there will face difficulties in the days to come. All these guns will go to BJP and RSS workers. The current government has made a highly condemnable policy. They should roll-back the policy,' said Gogoi. On May 29, the Assam State Cabinet under the Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had decided to grant arms licenses to original inhabitants and indigenous Indian citizens residing in vulnerable, remote and border areas of the state. The decision was made with a focus on enhancing the security of the people in the region. The cabinet meeting, chaired by CM Sarma at the Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati, approved the Special Scheme for Grant of Arms Licenses. 'This scheme will act as a deterrent to unlawful threats and enhance the personal security and confidence of such individuals and communities,' the Assam Chief Minister said. In addition to that, the cabinet has given the green light to a Rs 250 crore proposal for upgrading 34 polytechnics and 43 government ITIs into Centres of Excellence in collaboration with Tata Technologies Limited, aiming to boost skill development and employment opportunities. To honour Assam's stalwarts, the cabinet has also approved renaming three Sarusajai Sports Complex will now be called Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex, the Mangaldoi Stadium will be renamed Raja Dharma Narayan Stadium, and the State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Development will be renamed Golap Borbora State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Development. (ANI)
