Guwahati, Jan 11 : The Opposition today staged a walk out in the Assam Assembly demanding the resignation of the Tarun Gogoi government for failing to protect the lives and property of the people of the state. Yesterday, the government had called for a political consensus to deal with terrorism.

Leader of the Opposition, Chandra Mohan Patowary, said the Opposition was expecting a “suitable reply” from the government on how it proposes to deal with the threat posed by the militants.

“The reply given by the chief minister failed to satisfy us. This government has no moral right to govern the state when it cannot provide security to the people,” he said before storming out of the Assembly.

But the political consensus on the issue proved elusive as a discussion on police performance during a cut motion was mired in a blame game.

AUDF president Badruddin Ajmal alleged that the police had been “remote controlled” from Dispur. He said unless the police were given a free and fair hand, there would be no improvement in the situation.

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi, however, defended his government by pointing out that more people had died in the state during AGP regime than now.

He also strongly denied any political interference into police action as has been alleged by the Opposition. Instead, he claimed that unlike in the past, his government has distanced itself from the practice of frequent transfer of police officials.

Gogoi said steps had been taken to strengthen the police force, but urged the people to be more alert and co-operative.

The chief minister said a police academy and college would be set up in the state to provide better training facilities to the cops.