From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: Former Union Home Secretary G K Pillai on Monday raised concern over deteriorating law and order situation in Meghalaya for the last few years.
Delivering the key-note address in a seminar on “Sustaining Peace in Northeast India: Changing Dimensions” sponsored by the British Deputy High Commission, Eastern India in collaboration with the Centre for Development and Peace Studies (CDPS), Pillai, who has vast experience of dealing with insurgency in the region, said, “The growing inter-tribal rivalry and the political uncertainties in Meghalaya have resulted in lack of attention to governance and security matters. The only silver lining is the confidence of young entrepreneurs of Meghalaya in charting out a new way of life which has resulted in great improvements in horticulture and education. It is good tat more emphasis is being given in vocational education.”
Regarding the Maoists posing a fresh threat to the troubled region, Pillai said, “The Maoists threat is certainly one that is emerging. The Maoist strategy is to fish in troubled water and exploit any grievances or even perceived grievances. This has to be tackled politically at the grass root level. It has to be nipped in the bud with the help of people as only police can’t tackle it alone.”
Responding to apprehensions aired by the security agencies in the country about Maoists trying to fish in the troubled North East particularly in Assam in coordination with local insurgent outfits, Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi said all encompassing development would be instrumental in tackling the Maoist threat as only use f force would not suffice given the lessons learnt in the so called Maoist infested states of the country.
“We have to promote economic growth provide political and social rights, threat every community with dignity and honour to neutralize Maoists and insurgents. For me insurgents like the ULFA, NSCN and Maoists are all the same. The Maoists are now trying to join hands with insurgents here because there feel they are weak and need help. When someone is weak needs help as strong ones like to fight alone. It is an old problem and can’t be wiped out overnight through use of force. We have to give top priority to economic development with focus on rural India to rob Maoists and insurgents of their bases among the people,” Gogoi said. “My government has given autonomy to most of the principal ethnic communities in the state in the form of autonomous council and it has paid well as every community has now become part of the development process,” Gogoi said.