The extreme violence in Tripura continues unabated and there have been considerable loss of lives in recent weeks, generating an overall impression of insecurity in that State. The Centre should, therefore, feel naturally concerned, the more so because Tripura’s geographical location is of such immensely strategic importance. From this point of view the Centre’s reported move to send a team comprising Army, BSF and CRPF representatives for an overall assessment of the local situation need scarcely be viewed with any displeasure or suspicion; but this is precisely what the State government has been doing. Agartala had never been reconciled to an impressive presence in the State of the Army and the result has been that the latter has not found to be as effective as it was expected to be in view of its creditable performance in Mizoram. The induction of a Governor with military background has not so far been found worth it for bridging the gulf.

The Chief Minister’s repeated assertion that the Tripura unrest is basically a political problem is true, if at all, only partially. Not all types of extremist violence may be amenable to the political solution, however well-intentioned the motive or the moves initiated, so far as theory goes and even the manoeuvrings. Those extremist overtures, particularly the ones backed by active foreign patronage and help, clearly calls for measures which are not within the purview or corapstence of a State government. Here it is that the Centre has clearly a role to perform and a sacred responsibility to discharge in the cause of national security and sovereignty .