By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Chairman, National Security Advisory Board, Naresh Chandra has expressed concern over the influx of arms to the Northeast which poses security threat to the region.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting of the members of the Board with the Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma on Monday evening, Chandra said the issue of influx of illegal arms is a matter of concern. He said effective measures should be initiated to address the issue.
“In general we discussed how to control influx of arms, better policing and, better border management and what can be done about it”, Chandra said.
According to reports, Dimapur has emerged as a hub for illegal arms which are being transported to various militant groups in the Northeast.
There were several instances of seizure of arms and ammunition meant for Garo Hills-based GNLA militants recently and the interrogations of the arrested militants have revealed that they were procured from Dimapur.
The Board also discussed the need to strengthen the police organization and also to have better coordination with paramilitary forces in the Northeast.
On the issue of border management, Chandra said that sealing the border has to be done in an intelligent way.
According to Chandra, the border fencing should not be aimed at segregating the nations.
“We have to manage the borders so that we can allow some kind of interchange between countries bordering India. “Myanmar is a friendly country and we also have to gain a lot by improving relations with Bangladesh but at the same time we cannot allow illegal entry “, Chandra added. On the controversial issues of AFSPA and the need to implement ILP, the official said that Board members are collecting specific information regarding the issues, before a discussion takes place at the Central level.
According to Chandra, the Board members are in Shillong not for solving problems, but to suggest ideas to the Government after listening to the voices of officials and civil society from all the states of the region.