Gogoi appealed to the media to extend all help and cooperation to the government in its endeavour to restore peace in affected areas and to start the process of rehabilitating the displaced people. He categorically pointed out that only genuine Indian citizens would be rehabilitated.
Gogoi said that media can play a very positive role in such a situation. He laid emphasis on disseminating news based on reliable sources.
He apprised the editors about the slew of measures initiated by the government to provide relief to camp inmates. He said the government is taking measures to decongest crowded relief camps and maintain proper sanitation and hygiene in the camps.
Gogoi said all-out efforts have been directed towards allaying apprehensions from the minds of the people by involving local leaders from the Bodo and Muslim communities and members of different organisations active in those areas. "We have to remove the fear psychosis so that they return to their homes. Instilling a sense of security is a must," he added.
Referring to the exodus of people of the northeast region from the southern states, Gogoi underscored the need to create a congenial atmosphere so that students and workers return at the earliest. "Our government is in close touch with institutions in which they were previously employed and those institutions have agreed to take them back," he added.
The editors observed that incidents of recent violence were not communal in nature. They expressed concern about the prevalence of illegal arms in the state and urged urgent steps for recovery of the same.
All the editors urged people from the northeast not to pay heed to rumours being circulated, which are clearly against national interest.
They urged all concerned to return to their places of study and work in view of the assurance given by host state governments and appealed to them to facilitate their safe return.
The editors while noting the steps taken by the state governments and the Centre in containing violence also urged upon them to take necessary steps to expedite the process of rehabilitation of displaced families and reopening of schools. They requested the state government to undertake the upgradation of the National Register of Citizens as per the Assam Accord expeditiously and ensure protection of tribal belts and blocks.
