Tarun Gogoi rules out division of Assam, warns against violence

NEW DELHI: As violence continues to rock parts of Assam in support of demands for separate states, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today ruled out further division of his state saying people there want to live like a joint family.

Gogoi also warned those indulging in violence saying action would be taken them.

"No government wants to divide any state. In Assam, we want to live like a joint family," he said at a press conference when asked his government's stand on the fresh agitation and incidents of violence in Assam demanding separate states.

Demanding separate state of Karbi Anglong and Bodoland, several organisations have stepped up their agitation leading to bandh, arson, removal of train tracks besides blocking of highways and railway tracks connecting the Northeastern region.

The Chief Minister said if anyone has any grievance, Assam and the central governments were ready to talk to them to resolve their problems.

"But no one has any right to indulge in violence or take law into their hands. Else, we will have to take action against them," he said.

Gogoi said he had briefed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice-President Rahul Gandhi about the situation in Assam.

Admitting that the decision to create Telangana has given a fresh lease of life to the separate state demands in Assam, Gogoi refused to say whether it was a right or wrong decision but said he had forewarned the Centre about the situation which would arise if Telangana was created.