Mukul says GNLA a matter of concern, seeks additional forces
From C K Nayak
NEW DELHI: With the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh terming the security situation in North East as ‘complex’, Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma raised concern over rising militancy in the hill state due to a variety of factors. Stating that insurgents from neighbouring states use the long and porous Bangladesh border along Meghalaya to their advantage, Dr Sangma also expressed concern over the rise in the unlawful activities of the GNLA.
Addressing the Conference of Chief Ministers here on Wednesday, Dr Sangma said, “Even though internal security situation in Meghalaya continues to be stable and under control, the GNLA remains a matter of concern.”
Demanding that six companies of Central Para Military Forces which were taken away from Meghalaya for elections in Karnataka be redeployed, Dr Sangma sought six more companies in order to deal with the militant menace in totality. He also called for more police and border outposts to check the militants.
The Meghalaya CM pointed out that there has been a rise in the militant activities in the districts of Garo Hills mainly perpetrated by the GNLA. “Due to their (GNLA’s) anti-national and antisocial activities, normal life has been affected not only in the five Garo Hills Districts but also in parts of neighbouring West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills Districts,” Dr Sangma said.
“Other indigenous militant outfits like ANVC, HNLC and LAEF have been largely neutralized following sustained efforts, but they are instigated by the likes ULFA, NDFB and NSCN who use the state as a sanctuary and passage to both Bangladesh and rest of the region,” he said.
Dr Sangma termed two factors- lack of development and thin police presence- as the ones largely contributing to the continuance of militancy in the region and the State.
“Militants have taken full advantage of these two factors apart from difficult terrain and inclement weather conditions, not to speak of porous border with several countries, to their advantage,” Dr Sangma said.
The proscribed HNLC is almost finished but over a dozen of their cadres are still holed up across the border in Bangladesh, the Chief Minister said while adding that with the help of the Centre they too can be nabbed.
Expressing concern over
the recent activities of the ANVC (B) which has even called for road blockades and bandhs, Dr Sangma said that even though a peace pact was signed with the ANVC, way back in 2004, lack of resources to settle them and delay in arriving at a settlement resulted in emergence of fringe militant outfits.
Earlier, addressing the Conference of Chief Ministers, the Prime Minister said, “The security situation in the NE continues to be complex, with insurgency, extortion and agitation being the main disruptive elements in the hands of the insurgents.”
But there has been considerable progress in dialogue with several insurgent and ethnic separatist groups in the region, he added.
Dr Singh said that the Central Government was committed to undertaking and bringing to a satisfactory conclusion of dialogue with all groups and organisations which are willing to give up violence to seek solutions within the framework of the Constitution.
“We are equally firm in our determination to continue assisting the NE states to enhance their law and order enforcement capabilities, so that the people of the region enjoy the fruits of democracy and development,” he said.
‘Coordinated action needed against insurgents’
Meanwhile, chief ministers of other Northeastern states also sought the Centre’s help in launching coordinated action against insurgents taking shelter in various states as well as neighbouring countries.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said coordinated action was needed in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya if training, arms supply transit routes and shelters of militants are to be chocked.
“Myanmar remains a foreign sanctuary and there are efforts to reopen camps in Bhutan. Any reversal by a future Bangladeshi regime of the drive against Indian militants will revive the spectre of inviolate sanctuaries across our borders,” he said.
As per reports available, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said, NLFT (BM) (National Liberation Front of Tripura- Biswamohan faction) has as many as 19 hideouts in Bangladesh, four of which are located within 10 km of the Indo-Bangladesh border.
His Mizoram counterpart Lal Thanhawla said various militant groups from neighbouring North East states and countries like Myanmar and Bangladesh have taken advantage of the porous and inhospitable terrain along the interstate and international borders.