Door for talks with militant groups open: Centre

SHILLONG: The Centre has reiterated that it is ready to hold talks with any militant outfit be it HNLC or GNLA provided it eschews the path of violence.
“Our mind is open but they (militant groups) have to shun the path violence and come to mainstream,” Union Minister of state for Home Affairs Haribhai Parthibhai Chaudhary said on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the passing out parade of 230 new recruits at the North Eastern Police Academy (NEPA) near here, Chaudhary assured that the Central Government would give all the necessary support including fund, weapons to the police forces of the Northeastern states to contain militancy.
When asked about the implementation of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) in some of the Northeastern states, he said that there would be no change and status quo would be maintained.
Reacting to a query about the threat of ISIS to the country, he said that ISIS threat is “not being taken lightly” and states have been alerted.
The government, he said, was aware of the threat posed by the ISIS the world over and in the country in particular.
“The central government is 24/7 alert. The Intelligence Bureau and other agencies are working on strategies in curbing such threat,” he said.