Priorities of my administration are to bring back peace and normalcy in Assam: Anwara Taimur

Anwara Taimur, at 45, became Assam's youngest chief minister when she was called upon to lead the trouble-torn state last month. She is also the first woman - and the second Muslim after Syed Shahudullah- to hold this office. An MA from Aligarh Muslim University, and a mother of three, Taimur sprang a surprise by showing an unsuspected degree of sternness in dealing with the agitators. Recently, India Today's Seema Guha spoke to her. Excerpts:Q. Do you think a Congress(I) Government is in a better position to solve the problems of Assam than a government which has no backing in New Delhi?A.The foreign nationals issue is a Central subject and will have to be dealt with by the Centre, irrespective of what government there is in the state.Q. What are the priorities of your administration ?A. The priorities of my administration are to bring back peace and normalcy to the state, so that developmental work is not hampered and the economy does not suffer. We are concerned that the students have already lost one academic year and we will like to create a climate where academic interests can be pursued.Q. Are you taking any initiative in this direction ?A.As I said before, the agitation can be solved only by the Centre. I have made a genuine appeal to the students to leave the past agitation. If they, want to talk, our doors are always open.Q. How can any development programme start when every second day bandhs and strikes paralyse different towns in the Brahmaputra valley?A.Work will continue in the places where there are no bandhs.Q. What role will your administration take in bringing the agitators and Centre together? Do you have anything new to offer to the students ?A.My administration will concentrate on bringing back normalcy to the state, so that discussions can be held in a calm and quiet atmosphere. Discussions with us can only be of a preliminary nature. The students have rejected the prime minister's offer. I cannot offer anything more than what the prime minister herself has offered.Q. Would you call the current phase of the agitation an essentially law and order situation ?A. It's a national problem, not just a law and order problem.Q. Considering the fact that your government has come down hard on the satyagrahis, eon a tougher stand be expected towards the agitators from your administration in the future?A. The prime minister herself has warned that the law-breakers will be severely dealt with.Q. By strong action if you mean firing on unarmed people, do you think that the, action is justified?A. Police fire only as a last resort. If firing quells violence and maintains law and order, it is justified in the greater interest of the state.Q. Will the National Security Ordinance be used to deal with the agitation?A. The NSO will be used only when we think that a certain person or persons are disturbing communal harmony or inciting sedition in the state.Q. The agitators have refused to recognise your government and dubbed it a government of defectors. Any comment?A.We are not defectors. Many MLAs have joined us and we think they have full faith in our programme and policies.Q. Do you think your ministry can survive a vote of confidence in the Assembly?A.Of course we can survive a vote of confidence. It is only the Janata Party which is instigating the agitation and spreading such rumours.Published By: AtMigration Published On: Nov 27, 2013 14:40 IST--- ENDS ---

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Priorities of my administration are to bring back peace and normalcy in Assam: Anwara Taimur

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