By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: At present, terrorism has disguised itself in the form of kidnapping and extortion which is turning into a sort of cottage industry, Governor RS Mooshahary observed, adding that this industry is growing every day.
“Now the disguise is kidnapping, extortion and intimidation. Today kidnapping for ransom is almost a cottage industry in the North East,” Mooshahary said while maintaining that the armed forces have failed to control insurgency despite the use of the Armed Force Special Power Act (AFSPA).
Addressing a two-day International Seminar on India’s Look East Policy and the North Eastern Region held at North East Council (NEC) here on Thursday, the Governor referred to disguised terrorism in North East as a major hindrance in promoting India’s Look East policy.
“We have not been able to control it and they do not encourage good trade practices with our neighbouring countries,” Mooshahary said adding that inspite of the prevalence of the AFSPA which gives enormous power to the armed forces to operate, “Yet, we have not been able to control terrorism in the region and good trade practices have not been encouraged with our neighbouring countries.”
Mooshahary also stressed on the need to have a coordinated policy between the North Eastern states and the Centre for providing a suitable atmosphere for the Look East Policy to succeed.
The Governor also maintained that development of the region is hampered due to various factors like connectivity problem, frequent bandh and resource mismanagement, besides insurgency, “which in other words is corruption that needs to be addressed.”