Assam rues Centre’s decision on police fund

Guwahati: Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday criticized the BJP government in the Centre for resorting to stop police modernization fund to Assam and said that this would hamper the sustained fight against insurgents in the state.
Gogoi said, “ The Centre’s decision stating non provision of fund for police modernization to the State will put the State government in difficulty in containing insurgency which is though on the wane as on date , is yet to be rooted out.” “We need fund for procuring modern weapon and arms for our police force which has to tackle insurgency. Fund is required for setting up modern police stations and residential accommodation for policemen.
All these will be severely affected in view of the Centre’s decision to stop police  modernization fund, Gogoi said. Gogoi pointed out that there was renewed threat from insurgents in view of several NE insurgent groups  including ULFA (Independent) ganging up in Myanmar to launch a joint fight.
“We have to constantly remain on vigil against insurgents as they have formed a joint organization (United Liberation Front of West South East Asia). At this juncture, stoppage of flow of fund for police modernization would be a set-
back for us.”
Meanwhile, Gogoi claimed that the on-going talks between the Centre and the faction of  ULFA led by Arabinda Rajkhowa was progressing well and in proper direction.
The ULFA faction, he said, had raised the demand for declaration of Assam as a tribal state to which Assam Government had no objection.