Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday reiterated the state government’s commitment towards the progress and welfare of the Barak Valley and of providing security and safety to the masses here.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the 71st Foundation Day of the Village Defence Organisation, Assam, at Police Parade ground here. Sonowal said the government considered Barak Valley of equal importance as the Brahmaputra Valley and was fully committed towards the development and safety of the people here.

“Your security/safety is my responsibility. No need to worry,” Sonowal said, in an attempt to dispel fears which have apparently touched the masses in this part of the state recently over issues like the National Register of Citizens (NRC) update process and Clause 6 of the Assam Accord.

Taking a dig at the previous Congress governments, he said they never cared about the Barak Valley and hence it did not witness the scale of development it should have.

Sonowal lauded the founder of the Village Defence Organisation, Harinarayan Baruah, and said it was a brilliant initiative to help reduce the rate of crimes in society.

The chief minister also made two announcements related to village defence parties (VDP). He said an inter-district football tournament will be organised in the state in the future. The first prize will be Rs 3 lakh and the second and third prizes will be Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1 lakh respectively.

Besides, he said, incentives will be provided to VDPs in the days ahead.

Former minister Kabindra Purkayastha heaped praise on the chief minister, saying that Sonowal has always considered both the Barak and Brahmaputra Valleys to be of equal importance and that he has been working with all his dedication and commitment to make Assam one of the best states in the country.

Purkayastha, who unveiled a souvenir on the occasion, also spoke of the role of VDPs for a peaceful and prosperous society.

Silchar MP Rajdeep Roy said the role of VDPs is very important to prevent unlawful activities in rural areas.

“They (VDPs) are the eyes and ears of the police authorities and are very important for a crime-free society,” he said.

Excise, forest and fisheries minister Parimal Suklabaidya, deputy Speaker Aminul Haque Laskar, former Congress minister and now BJP leader Gautam Roy, MLAs Dilip Kumar Paul, Kishore Nath, Amar Chand Jain, Mihir Kanti Shome and Diganta Bora, Assam deputy inspector-general (administration) Diganta Bora , Cachar deputy commissioner Barnali Sharma and Cachar superintendent of police Manabendra Debroy were also present.