Guwahati, Nov. 19 : Thousands of people from all walks of life recently participated in a rally held here to protest against and demanded action against militancy and fundamentalist forces in Assam.

It was for the first time such a huge congregation was witnessed in the north-east.

Shouting slogans like “We want peace”, over 30,000people took to streets of Guwahati to express their resentment and condemn widespread militancy.

Protestors were demanding eviction of illegal Bangladeshis migrants, fundamentalist forces and militants from the state.

The agitated protestors requested the government to shed the soft posture against terrorism and fundamentalism in the state.

Dr. Sammujal Bhattacharya, President, NE Students organization, said: “The people of Assam have launched a strong protest in the streets of Guwahati because throughout the Indo-Bangla border along with illegal Bangladeshi, the fundamentalist groups have entered. The people of Assam today have launched this rally to protest against the bomb blasts and at the same time put pressure on the government to evict the fundamentalist and terrorist groups from the soil of Assam and to give security to the life and property of people in Assam.''

Surendar Kr. Meheto, a member of the Purbatar Hindustan Sanmilan, said: “All those who have gathered over here show that there is unity in our nation against extremism. We could be different as per language and culture, in crisis we stand united."

The rally came up on a day when the Assam government finally named United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) as the conspirators behind the October 30 serial blasts. However, the investigating officials still hint at a fundamentalist group based in Bangladesh being the mastermind.

The overwhelming feeling among the people is that fundamentalist forces based in Bangladesh, in collaboration with the local militants, were behind the serial blasts that took placed in different past of Assam last month.

Dr. Noni Gopal Mahanta, Professor at the Guwahati University, said: “I believe it is now the time (to act). I call it neo terrorism, new war. Be it material or ideological indoctrination, all are provided by our neighboring country.”

Meanwhile, recently the anger against militants and condolence for those who lost their near and dear ones was also visible in nation''s capital. A condolence-cum-peace march was also organized in New Delhi.

These rallies sent out a loud message that it is the most opportune time to act decisively against forces hostile to India and bring peace in the lives affected regions. (ANI)