Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday claimed that Maoists and anti-talk faction of ULFA were involved in the agitation against the construction of a hydro-electric project in Lakhimpur district.
"Maoists, anti-talk faction of ULFA and other extremist groups are involved in the protest. Maoists are helping the Krishak Mazdoor Sangharsh Samiti (KMSS), which is spearheading the stir," Gogoi told reporters here.
"Paresh Baruah (anti-talk ULFA leader) does not want progress of Assam. Agitators do not want development of the state...they want prices of essentials to rise and scarcity of food items," he said.
"But action has to be taken when there is a breakdown of law and order," Gogoi said referring to police action on the agitators during the last two days.
To a query, Gogoi said, "we can hold discussions with the protestors any time...even tomorrow...if they come forward for parleys. What the experts on dams say has to be accepted by them."
Reacting to the Chief Minister's statement, KMSS General Secretary Akhil Gogoi said, "Tarun Gogoi's claim will only help Maoists and ULFA to establish themselves in Assam".
"People are being regularly attacked when they raise fear that the mega dams will bring more misery to their lives as they are dependent on rivers. Tarun Gogoi is not prepared to listen to the apprehensions of the people," he told reporters at Chauldhowa in Lakhimpur district.
Police used lathis, burst teargas shells and fired in the air in the past two days when protestors pelted stones at them at Chauldhowa as they blocked NH-52 along the border of Lakhimpur-Dhemaji districts.
The agitators continued their blockade today with thousands of people assembling there.
Five organisations KMSS, Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad, Takam Mising Porin Kebang, All Tai Ahom Students Union and All Deori Students Union are at the forefront of the anti-dam agitation.
"Maoists, anti-talk faction of ULFA and other extremist groups are involved in the protest. Maoists are helping the Krishak Mazdoor Sangharsh Samiti (KMSS), which is spearheading the stir," Gogoi told reporters here.
"But action has to be taken when there is a breakdown of law and order," Gogoi said referring to police action on the agitators during the last two days.
To a query, Gogoi said, "we can hold discussions with the protestors any time...even tomorrow...if they come forward for parleys. What the experts on dams say has to be accepted by them."
Reacting to the Chief Minister's statement, KMSS General Secretary Akhil Gogoi said, "Tarun Gogoi's claim will only help Maoists and ULFA to establish themselves in Assam".
"People are being regularly attacked when they raise fear that the mega dams will bring more misery to their lives as they are dependent on rivers. Tarun Gogoi is not prepared to listen to the apprehensions of the people," he told reporters at Chauldhowa in Lakhimpur district.
Police used lathis, burst teargas shells and fired in the air in the past two days when protestors pelted stones at them at Chauldhowa as they blocked NH-52 along the border of Lakhimpur-Dhemaji districts.
The agitators continued their blockade today with thousands of people assembling there.
Five organisations KMSS, Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad, Takam Mising Porin Kebang, All Tai Ahom Students Union and All Deori Students Union are at the forefront of the anti-dam agitation.
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