Guwahati, Jan 26 (IANS) The 66th Republic Day was celebrated across Assam Monday with enthusiasm, with people ignoring threats from militants.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi unfurled the tricolour at a function at the Khanapara veterinary college here.
Governor (additional charge) P.B. Acharya was not able to attend the function. However, in his message on the occasion, he expressed concern over the killings of rhinos and said: "The year 2014 has not been a good year for our state's symbol, the one-horned rhinoceros. The preservation and proliferation of rhinos is our collective responsibility and we must shoulder it with sincerity."
The Assam Police and other agencies have beefed up security across the state to deal with any untoward incident.
There had been warnings that the United Liberation Front of Asom and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland militants might try to disrupt the celebrations and carry out subversive activities in the run up to the Republic Day in the state.
Gogoi, reiterating the government's tough stand on militancy, urged the militants to shun violence and join the mainstream.
Referring to the violence in Kokrajhar, Sonitpur and Chirang districts, Gogoi said: "Violence will not solve any problem. Our government is committed to take action against terrorists. Our door for talks is opened. Militants must shun violence and come for talks."
He said the state government would provide free healthcare to the people Below Poverty Line (BPL).
"The government is planning to launch a new scheme to ensure free medical treatment to those below the BPL and ensure no children are deprived of medical treatment," he said.
"Skill development and employment generation are the two priority sectors for the government," he said.
Gogoi also said that the state government will implement a new sanitation scheme.
He said the state government has decided to give Rs.5,000 to mothers who give birth to a girl.
"We have a scheme to grant Rs.5,000 in the form of fixed deposit for each girl child. We have decided to grant the same amount to those mothers who give birth to girls," he said.
Gogoi also expressed concern over the killings of rhinos in the state, saying "One-horned rhinoceros are being killed in the state and it is a matter of great concern."
"However, we have seen that the number of rhinos is increasing in Assam, which is a good sign. We have taken steps to stop the poaching of rhinos. A task force has also been constituted to look into the matter," he said.
A new revelation has been made in the case of the murder of a level female tennis player, Radhika
Order all the students who appear in the board examinations for the session 2020-21 to be vaccina
You must have seen cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni swinging the bat a lot on the cricket field. Wh
Arvind Kejriwal Arrest: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested by the Enforcement
The three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan began on Sunday in Indore. On the first day, Chief Minis
All is probably not going well between Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and choreographer Dhanas
So far 1140 people have died due to floods and landslides in Pakistan. About 3 crore 30 lakh peop
Coronavirus Updates: 13,405 new cases of corona in the country, 235 deaths, 34,226 recovered
Corona cases continue to decline in the country. Today 13,405 new cases of corona infection have
The third wave of corona infection will not have much effect on children. The World Health Organi
Modi hints at changes in land bill, denounces Sayeed remarks
New Delhi, March 3 (IANS) On a day he again took on the opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Mod
