New Delhi: Expressing concern over Maoists’ presence in his state, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday said that illegal coal trading in border areas of a number of northeastern states is fast becoming a major source of funding for terror outfits.
Gogoi, speaking at a conference of Chief Ministers on internal security, cautioned that Maoists’ presence in Assam has the potential to grow into a major threat in the state where militancy related incidents have come down drastically last year.
The Chief Minister attributed change in Bangladesh’s policy of not allowing sanctuary to militants from the region and better coordination between central and state security forces for the drop in militant violence.
However, he said funds coming from illegal coal trading have found their way to militant outfits and favoured better policing in the region to contain militancy.
“The illegal coal trade originating in bordering area of neighbouring states transits through Assam and is fast becoming a major source of funding for different militant outfits,” he said, adding Dimapur in Nagaland is particular emerging as a centre for illegal arms trade and shelter for criminals and militants.
Identifying various challenges of internal security in Assam, he said inflow of fake currency into the state was a matter of concern which needes to be tackled with better border policing.
He said riverine areas of international border with Bangladesh are still a cause for concern as the proposal to have floating Border Outposts (BOP) could not be made operational. Assam has a 267-km border with Bangladesh and 269 km with Bhutan.
In the past, both these countries have been used as sanctuaries by militant outfits. Noting that public mood has been in favour of peace and development in Assam, Gogoi also complemented the Centre for helping the state in enhancing its capabilities to counter the militants. He said Assam Police is now second to none in counter-militancy skills.
“The Centre has played a crucial role in helping to modernise police forces. In the past 10 years 85 per cent of funds allotted have been utilised to construct police stations, achieve better mobility, acquire modern weaponry and ensure effective communication,” Gogoi said. (PTI)